Initial evaluation of carotid angioplasty and stenting with three different cerebral protection devices

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cerebral protection devices during carotid artery angioplasty and stent placement. Methods: Between September 1998 and September 1999, carotid angioplasty and stenting were performed in 46 patients with symptomatic (39.1%) or asymptomatic (60.9%) severe carotid artery stenosis. Wallstents were used in all patients with selective predilatation. Cerebral protection devices were used in 25 of these patients. Primary end points were perioperative neurologic complications and mortality. Data were collected prospectively. Results: The overall combined end point of all neurologic deficits and death rate was 4.34%. Two neurologic events (one transient ischemic attack and one minor stroke) occurred in the unprotected group (9.53%) versus none in the group with cerebral protection. This difference is not statistically significant. The mortality rate was 0% for both groups. On an intention to treat basis, the overall technical success rate for carotid angioplasty was 97.8%, and for placement of cerebral protection devices it was 100%. An important number of particles of different sizes were captured in all cases in which cerebral protection devices were used. Conclusion: Experience has shown that cerebral protection during carotid angioplasty and stenting is technically feasible and appears to be effective in preventing procedure-related neurologic complications. Further investigation is warranted.