Carotid stenting and bivalirudin with and without vascular closure: 3-year analysis of procedural outcomes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the outcome of carotid stenting using bivalirudin and the influence of vascular closure devices (VCD) on the incidence and severity of peri-procedural hypotension.

Background: Bivalirudin, a short-acting direct thrombin inhibitor, has been shown to be an effective anticoagulant in coronary interventions, with less risk of bleeding compared with heparin. Routine use of VCD has become the standard of care, facilitating patient ambulation after percutaneous carotid and coronary interventions.