Carotid stents are not a source of microemboli late after deployment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of microembolic signals (MES) in the middle cerebral artery distal to a stented carotid artery late after stent deployment. MES may be a signal of thrombus formation at the stent level.


METHODS
Two patient groups were studied with transcranial Doppler at different intervals after deployment of Palmaz stents or Wallstents for stenosis of the internal or common carotid artery. Group 1: from 6 to 12 months after stent deployment; Group 2: > 12 months after stenting.


RESULTS
One out of 19 patients in Group 1 showed MES (5.0%); however, this patient also had two mechanical heart valves. None out of 17 patients in Group 2 had MES.


CONCLUSIONS
Carotid stents seem to have a very low emboligenic potential after the early post-deployment period. This is a reassuring message for present and future patients harboring such stents.
Censori
B
B
Neurologia 2, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy. censoribruno@hotmail.com
Camerlingo
M
M
Casto
L
L
Partziguian
T
T
Caverni
L
L
Bonaldi
G
G
Mamoli
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
D008670:Metals