Single-staged sequential endovascular stenting in patients with in tandem carotid stenoses.
OBJECTIVE
Simultaneous stenoses at the origin of the internal carotid artery and the carotid siphon, also known as 'in tandem stenoses', are not uncommon. However, the clinical importance of this condition is still a subject of controversy. Surgical and endovascular approaches have been proposed to manage symptomatic patients who fail antithrombotic therapy.


METHODS
We present a series of eight patients with symptomatic in tandem carotid artery stenoses treated by sequential endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty. In all the cases, the intracranial stenosis was equal to, or greater, than the extracranial stenosis.


RESULTS
Procedural success, defined as residual stenosis of less than 30% in extracranial and intracranial lesions, was obtained in all the cases. No patient sustained myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) during the procedure or hospital stay. During a mean clinical follow-up of 12 +/- 3.4 months (range: 7-20 months), there were no neurological events and on angiographic follow-up after 6 months, no patient presented in-stent de novo stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty appears to be a valid alternative for selected patients with symptomatic in tandem carotid stenoses that are refractory to medical treatment. In most of the cases, the characteristics of intracranial stenoses determine the feasibility of the procedure.
Cohen
José E
JE
Department of Neurosurgery, Unit of Endovascular Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Gomori
JohnMoshe
J
Grigoriadis
Savvas
S
Lylyk
IsraelPedro
I
Ferrario
Angel
A
Miranda
Carlos
C
Rajz
Gustavo
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome