Objective: To analyze the recent results of CAS performed by vascular surgeons to treat extracranial carotid occlusive disease (ECOD) retrospectively in a single medical center.
Methods: Forty-eight carotid arteries underwent CAS. Procedures were transfemoral. The postoperative follow-up was separated to 2 periods (<or=30 d and >30 d). The mortality and all kinds of complications were analyzed.
Results: 91.7% of them were men; 8.3% were women; mean age was (70.6 +/- 5.9) years. Preoperative asymptomatic cases were 37.5%; symptomatic cases were 62.5%. Mean internal carotid artery diameter stenosis was (71.2 +/- 14.8)%. 43.8% patients had single preoperative risk factors; two or more of these risk factors were present in 47.9%. In 33.3% cases the contralateral carotid artery had 50% or greater stenosis or was completely occluded. Technical success was achieved in 100%. There were no death, no major or minor stroke but 4.2% TIA. Carotid sinus compression syndrome occurred in 18.8% of patients. At follow-up > 30 days, there had been 4.2% instances of in-stent recurrent stenosis great than 50%, noted by color doppler ultrasound scanning. No stent deformity happened.
Conclusion: CAS can be preformed safely enough in patients with ECOD at high CEA risk, with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality.