Ultrasound criteria for severe in-stent restenosis following carotid artery stenting.

Purpose: In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a known complication following carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, ultrasound criteria determining ISR are not well established. We evaluated alternative ultrasound velocity criteria for >70% ISR in our institution.

Carotid artery stenting with distal protection using the carotid wallstent and filterwire neuroprotection: single-center experience of 380 cases with midterm outcomes.

Emerging data have supported the clinical efficacy of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in stroke prevention in high-risk surgical patients. This study was performed to evaluate the midterm clinical outcome of CAS using the Carotid Wallstent and FilterWire distal protection (both Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) at an academic institution. Risk factors for in-stent restenosis (ISR) were also analyzed.

The impact of anesthetic modality on the outcome of carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis. This study evaluates the clinical outcome of CEA performed under local anesthesia (LA) versus general anesthesia (GA).

Methods: Clinical variables and treatment outcomes were analyzed in 548 CEAs performed under either LA or GA during a 30-month period.

Carotid artery stenting with routine cerebral protection in high-risk patients.

Background: Carotid artery stenting has emerged as an alternative treatment modality in carotid occlusive disease. This study examined our experience of carotid stenting with routine cerebral embolization protection in high-risk patients.

Methods: Clinical variables and treatment outcome of high-risk patients who underwent carotid stenting with neuroprotection were analyzed during a 26-month period.

A prospective study of a hand-held ultrasound device in abdominal aortic aneurysm evaluation.

Purpose: Effective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) requires both early detection and timely repair to reduce aneurysm-related mortality. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the utility of a hand-held ultrasonography (US) device in AAA screening in a Veterans Affairs vascular surgical service.

Methods: During a 16-month period, patients with risk factors for AAA were evaluated in a blinded fashion with a hand-held US device performed by physicians.