ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Carotid artery occlusive disease is estimated to be the primary cause in 20-30 per cent of all strokes. This report was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the treatment of extracranial stenosis by carotid artery stenting. METHOD: From June 1995 to December 2001, there were 13 patients with internal carotid stenosis > or = 60 per cent who were eligible for carotid stenting. RESULTS: Twelve patients were male. The mean age was 68 years old. Fifty-four per cent had neurological symptoms. The percentage of pre stenting stenosis was 86 +/- 8 and the percentage of post stenting stenosis was 18 +/- 15. There were 3 patients who had complications after the procedure (minor stroke = 2, severe bradycardia = 1). One patient died. There were no new or recurrent neurological events during the 6 to 84 month-follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid stent implantation may be an alternate treatment for extracranial carotid stenosis.