Self-expanding stent (Wallstent) supported angioplasty for carotid artery stenosis]

We reported the preliminary results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) supported with a self-expanding stent (Wallstent) for the cervical internal carotid artery (i.c.) stenosis in 6 patients (7 lesions). All were male aged from 60 to 79 (mean 70.8). Three patients were symptomatic and 3 were asymptomatic. The procedure was attempted in patients with severe i.c. stenosis according to criteria of NASCET, ECST or ACAS studies and with high risk if carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were performed. In all cases, vascular access was from the femoral artery and angioplasty was performed without cerebral protection. Successful angioplasty was obtained in all cases with no mortality. Stenosis was improved from 82.7% (74-90%) to 17.4% (10-33%). Perioperative complications were seen in only one case with TIA during the postdilatation period, which was supposed to be due to a distal embolism. The preliminary results of PTA supported with self-expanding stent for severe i.c. stenosis were excellent. These results suggested that some patients with severe i.c. stenosis can be treated safely and effectively by stent-supported PTA. However, it is necessary to mark the indications clear and strict, and to follow up these lesions after the procedure, because of the possibility of perioperative ischemic complications and restenosis.