Safety and Feasibility of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stent-Assisted Revascularization within 48 Hours after Symptoms Onset

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2021 Jun;30(6):105743. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.105743. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of carotid artery stenting (CAS) performed in the hyperacute period.

Methods: We analyzed a retrospective database of CAS patients from our center. We included patients with symptomatic isolated ipsilateral extracranial carotid stenosis and acute tandem occlusions who underwent CAS. Hyperacute CAS (HCAS) and acute CAS (ACAS) groups were defined as CAS within 48 hours and >48 hours to 14 days from symptoms onset, respectively. The primary outcome was a composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death at 3 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were periprocedural complications and restenosis or occlusion rates.

Results: We included 97 patients, 39 with HCAS and 58 with ACAS. There was no significant difference between groups for the primary outcome (HCAS 3.3% vs. ACAS 6.1%; p = 1). There were no differences in the rate of perioperative complications between groups although a trend was observed (HCAS 15.3% vs. ACAS 3.4%; p = .057). The rate of restenosis or occlusion between groups (HCAS 8.1% vs. ACAS 9,1%; log-rank test p = .8) was similar with a median time of follow-up of 13.7 months.

Conclusion: Based on this study, CAS may be feasible in the hyperacute period. However, there are potential higher rates of perioperative complications in the hyperacute group, primarily occurring in MT patients with acute tandem occlusion. A larger multicenter study may be needed to further corroborate our findings.

Keywords: Carotid artery stenosis; Carotid artery stent; Carotid endarterectomy; Carotid revascularization; Thrombectomy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carotid Stenosis / complications
  • Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Stenosis / physiopathology
  • Carotid Stenosis / therapy*
  • Databases, Factual
  • Endovascular Procedures / adverse effects
  • Endovascular Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / etiology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / physiopathology
  • Ischemic Stroke / etiology
  • Ischemic Stroke / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Stents*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome