Carotid artery angioplasty for restenosis following endarterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The higher complication rate associated with the surgical treatment of restenosis following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has led several authors to advocate angioplasty as the treatment of choice in the management of restenosis. We describe our experience with internal carotid artery angioplasty for post-endarterectomy restenosis over 7 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to April 2001, all patients with a >90% restenosis following CEA were considered for angioplasty. Thirty angioplasties were carried out in 25 patients, 80% (24/30), for asymptomatic recurrent stenosis. There was no difference between those who had intervention for recurrent stenosis (n=31) and those who did not (n=545) in age, sex, smoking status or incidence of diabetes or hypertension. A significantly greater number of patients who underwent angioplasty were hypercholesterolaemic (p<0.05, Chi-squared test). RESULTS: Mean time from surgery to angioplasty was 13 months (range 1-23). Angioplasty was technically successful in 29 cases (97%). Three patients (10%) experienced transient neurological symptoms during the procedure. There were no strokes. Ninety-six percent (28/29) of patients were followed up with duplex scanning. Mean follow-up was 20 months (range 2-48). Three patients developed a greater than 90% restenosis. CONCLUSION: Angioplasty is an acceptable alternative to surgery in the management of internal carotid artery restenosis following endarterectomy.