Preliminary results of carotid artery stenting in a non-academic hospital.
BACKGROUND
A review of our experience with CAS in a non-academic hospital is presented.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 18 CAS-interventions between 2003 and 2005 is studied retrospectively. Indication, medical history, preoperative carotid imaging, operative technique and results were studied for each patient.


RESULTS
CAS was used 12 times in men and six (33.3%) times in women between 2003 and 2005. Five (27.8%) symptomatic stenoses, 12 (66.6%) asymptomatic stenoses and one (5.6%) arterio-venous fistula were treated. One permanent postoperative ipsilateral ischaemic neurologic deficit occurred (5.6%). The mean duration of hospital stay was 4.9 days (range : 2-9 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that CAS is feasible in non-academic hospital settings, with acceptable early results. Participating in larger studies should confirm our results.
Wijtenburg
E
E
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hôpital de Jolimont, Haine Saint-Paul, Belgium. edowijtenburg@hotmail.com
Schillaci
A
A
Thomas
T
T
Lismonde
M
M
Remy
P
P
Van Ruyssevelt
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome