Abstract
Objective: This study evaluates clinical outcome and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings after carotid artery stenting (CAS) performed without post-dilatation.
Methods: Between January 2010 and April 2012, a total of 81 consecutive patients (57.6% symptomatic) underwent 85 CAS procedures performed with an embolic protection device (GuardWire; 25, FilterWire EZ; 60). All stents were deployed without post-dilatation. Periprocedural complications and mid-term outcome were analyzed.
Results: The stroke rate was 2.4% within 30 days after CAS (asymptomatic; 2.8%, symptomatic; 2.0%). Cerebral infarction occurred in one (2.8%) asymptomatic patient. Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in one (2.0%) symptomatic patient. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) obtained after CAS showed a high-intensity area in 12 (14.1%) of 85 procedures. Ipsilateral stroke after 31 days occurred in one patient (1.2%). Restenosis occurred in 3.4% of patients. A comparison of the embolic protection devices showed no difference in stroke occurrence within 30 days and in DWI high-intensity area after CAS procedure.
Conclusions: Our CAS procedure without post-dilatation is feasible, safe, and associated with a low rate of stroke and restenosis.
