Endovascular stenting for carotid artery stenosis: results of local experience at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.

Objective: To evaluate the results, complications and initial follow-up of patients after percutaneous stent placement for carotid artery disease.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on patients treated with carotid artery stenting at the Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2002 to December 2005. The patients were selected according to the institutional guidelines for Carotid Angioplasty and stenting. Preliminary angiogram was performed in all patients followed by stent deployment. Distal protection device was used in 12 patients. All patients underwent pre and post procedure independent neurological examinations. Follow-up consisted of serial duplex ultrasonography and clinical assessment.

Results: Total of 18 stentings were carried out on 17 patients, with one patient having bilateral carotid stenting. There were 14 males and 3 females with an age range of 13 to 68 years. Technical success rate of stent deployment was 100%. Two patients developed Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) with transient monoparesis. One patient had confusion and TIA (Hemiparesis) during the preliminary angiogram before stenting. One patient acquired asystole during the procedure; however, he recovered with resuscitation. Five patients had transient bradycardia and hypotension. All these patients recovered with conservative therapy. No stroke or death occurred in any of our patients who underwent this procedure.

Conclusion: The initial experience revealed satisfactory results with low morbidity rate.