title: Filter-protected carotid stenting via a minimal cervical access with transitory aspirated reversed flow during initial passage of the target lesion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the preliminary results of filter-protected carotid artery stenting (CAS) via a minimal cervical access, with temporary common carotid artery (CCA) occlusion and aspiration in selected high-risk candidates for carotid endarterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since February 2002, 26 patients (17 men; mean age 73.7 years, range 54-98) at high surgical risk according to the SAPPHIRE eligibility criteria underwent 29 transcervical CAS procedures under filter protection. Under general anesthesia, a 6-F short introducer sheath was directly mounted in the CCA through a small (2-4 cm) laterocervical cutdown. The CCA was briefly clamped, and blood was aspirated while the filter device was positioned above the target lesion. With the filter in place and the clamp released, nitinol stents were deployed under filter protection. Hemostasis was achieved by direct suture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight (96%) interventions were technically successful; 1 complex lesion could not be crossed and was converted to surgery. Mean clamping time was 1.7 (range 1.0-3.5) minutes. Combined 30-day stroke/mortality was 0%. Ultrasound surveillance demonstrated a < 60% asymptomatic in-stent restenosis in 1 (4%) patient with radiation-induced arteritis after 28 months. During a mean follow-up of 11.6 months (range 3-38), 1 (4%) minor ipsilateral stroke was noted at 6 months in a patient whose antiplatelet therapy was transitorily interrupted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary observations from this small early experience suggest that this variant CAS technique is feasible and probably diminishes the neuroembolic risk during initial navigation of the ICA target stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Princesse Paola Hospital, Marche-en-Famenne and Sainte-Thérèse Hospital, Bastogne, Belgium. v.alex@skynet.be
authors.forename: Vlad
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alexandrescu
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ngongang
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Proumen
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dejardin
authors.forename: Roxana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serbanescu
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horion
authors.forename: Alin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bour
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome