Realizing the potential of carotid artery stenting : Proposed paradigms for patient selection and procedural technique

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2006-04, Vol.113 (16), p.2021-2030
• Main Authors: ROUBIN, Gary S, IYER, Sriram, HALKIN, Amir, VITEK, Jiri, BRENNAN, Christina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiography; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Carotid Stenosis - diagnostic imaging; Carotid Stenosis - pathology; Carotid Stenosis - therapy; Catheterization; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Humans; Medical sciences; Neurosurgery; Patient Selection; Skull, brain, vascular surgery; Stents; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Thrombosis - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.595512

Carotid artery stenting, compared with carotid endarterectomy, is emerging as an effective and less invasive method of revascularization for extracranial carotid artery stenosis. Carotid stenting is established as the treatment of choice for certain high-risk patient subsets, and ongoing clinical trials are evaluating this method across a broader clinical spectrum, including asymptomatic patients. For carotid stenting to reach its full potential, an acceptable risk of periprocedural complications, particularly in low-risk patients, must be ensured (the "3% rule"). The present article provides an in-depth review of carotid stenting, with special emphasis on the process of risk stratification pertaining to clinical, anatomic, and procedural considerations necessary to optimize procedural safety and patient outcomes.