Prevalence of carotid stent fractures in a single-center experience.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of carotid stent fractures and quantify any associated restenosis or clinical events in a single-center experience.


METHODS
Seventy-eight consecutive patients were recorded in a prospective database between 2003 and 2007. Nearly two thirds (51, 65%) were available for follow-up, which included magnified multiplanar radiography and selective duplex ultrasonographic studies to evaluate fracture and restenosis in 53 self-expanding stents (49 open-cell and 4 closed-cell designs). The images were assessed independently by 2 vascular radiologists blinded to the patients' clinical data.


RESULTS
There was 1 (1.9%) stent fracture with no associated adverse events or restenosis. Six (11%) stents had an irregular "fish-scale" appearance that was easily confused for fracture and seen only in the open-cell stents.


CONCLUSIONS
Stent fractures do occur in the carotid artery; however, they are rare and, in our experience, have no clinical sequelae. Radiological assessment should be incorporated into clinical and ultrasound surveillance protocols.
Varcoe
Ramon L
RL
Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia. ramonvarcoe@yahoo.com
Mah
Jean
J
Young
Noel
N
So
Simon S
SS
Vicaretti
Mauro
M
Swinnen
John
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014463:Ultrasonography