Appropriateness of learning curve for carotid artery stenting: an analysis of periprocedural complications.

Objectives: Cerebral embolism is the first cause of neurologic complications of carotid artery stenting (CAS). A large debate has been raised to identify the caseload necessary for an appropriate learning curve before systematic use of CAS. This study examined (1) the timing of periprocedural complications during CAS and how these complications vary over time to identify factors that contribute to neurologic morbidity and (2) a sufficient number of procedures for adequate training.

Outcome of carotid stenting versus endarterectomy: a case-control study.

Background And Purpose: To compare perioperative and midterm results of carotid artery stenting (CAS) versus carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in similar cohorts of patients, a retrospectively matched case-control study was performed.

Methods: Three hundred and one case subjects undergoing CAS with cerebral protection and 301 concurrent matched-controls undergoing CEA were examined. Matching was by sex, age (+/-2 years), symptoms and coronary disease.

Percutaneous treatment of carotid stenosis with protection system: preliminary experience.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of carotid artery stenting with filter device.

Materials And Methods: Between May 2001 and July 2002, a total of 96 consecutive patients (100 lesions) who presented with symptomatic >70% diameter stenosis, asymptomatic >90% diameter stenosis or post-endarterectomy as well as post-radiotherapy hemodynamically significant stenosis underwent carotid artery stenting with filter protection at our institute. The mean age of the patients was 72 (range 51-91).

Predictive factors and clinical consequences of proximal aortic neck dilatation in 230 patients undergoing abdominal aorta aneurysm repair with self-expandable stent-grafts.

Objective: Several studies have suggested that proximal aortic neck dilatation (AND) is a frequent event after balloon-expandable endografting. Yet few data are available on AND after repair with self-expandable stent grafts. To investigate incidence, predictive factors, and clinical consequences of AND, computed tomography (CT) scans obtained at intervals during follow-up of 230 patients who had undergone endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with self-expandable stents were reviewed.

Outcome of abdominal aortic endografting in high-risk patients: a 4-year single-center study.

Purpose: To evaluate feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in patients whose fitness for surgery is questionable.

Methods: Between April 1997 and December 2001, 389 consecutive patients underwent endovascular AAA repair. Of these, 51 (13.

Device migration after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: analysis of 113 cases with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years.

Purpose: Device migration (DM) has been shown to cause late failure after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. To establish the incidence rate and the predictive factors of distal migration of the proximal portion of the endograft, computed tomographic (CT) scans performed at different time intervals during follow-up examination of 113 patients were reviewed.

Patients And Methods: Between April 1997 and March 1999, 148 patients underwent endoluminal AAA repair with a modular endograft with infrarenal fixation (Medtronic-AVE AneuRx, Santa Rosa, Calif) at our unit.