Purpose: Angioplasty and stent placement of atherosclerotic internal carotid artery stenosis (ICA) are evaluated based on own experiences with the method and reports of other groups and are compared with vascular surgery.
Methods: ICA-stenoses of more than 70% were treated by angioplasty and stent placement mainly using the Wallstent. The patients had follow-up examinations with an angiogram after 6 months and colour-coded duplex ultrasound at regular intervals.
Results: In 633 patients 799 ICA stenoses were treated, 70% of them were symptomatic and 30% asymptomatic. In 99% of the patients the stenoses could be removed with a reduction of the degree of stenosis from 82% to 12%. Transient neurological deficits occurred in 5% and permanent deficits in 2.7% of the patients with decreasing incidence over the years. Five-year patency was 91.6%.
Conclusion: Endoluminal treatment of atherosclerotic ICA stenosis is an efficient procedure which can be applied in patients, in whom carotid surgery is indicated, but also in cases with an increased operative risk or inoperability from technical or medical reasons.