Carotid Artery Stenting in Symptomatic High Risk Patients: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of permanent disability and death. Stroke is generally associated with ischemia and carotid artery stenosis is the reason in nearly one third of the cases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the short and mid term results of carotid artery stenting (KAS) procedures performed in high risk patients due to carotid artery disease who were admitted to cardiology clinic of our institution.Patients and Methods: The study group consisted of 14 consecutive high risk patients in whom KAS was performed in the cardiology clinic of our institution due to atherosclerotic carotid artery disease between October 2011 and October 2013. Procedural success, in-hospital and out-hospital stroke, myocardial infarction and all causes of mortality were evaluated.Results: Angiographic success was achieved in all patients. In-hospital and out-hospital acure coronary syndrome was not observed. One patient developed permanent stroke 24 hours after the procedure. This stroke was related with non-intervened carotid artery. This patient died 32 days after the procedure. Procedure related stroke or death was not occurred in any of the patients.Conclusion: KAS is a safe procedure in high risk patients for appropriately equipped experienced operators.