title: [Beyond coronary artery disease: interventional approach to carotid occlusive disease].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to report a single-center experience about early and mid-term complications in carotid artery stenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2005 to April 2009, 148 significant carotid artery stenoses were treated with carotid artery stenting in 140 patients. Preprocedural evaluation was performed with Duplex scan, angio-computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Low-profile material was used with curves dedicated to bovine arch. Dual antiplatelet therapy was administered to all patients before and after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success was achieved in 144 procedures. Four patients (2.7%) required surgical conversion. The rate of neurological complications was 2% at 30 days (0.6% major stroke and 1.3% minor stroke/ transient ischemic attack). After 3 years of follow-up, 2 cases of restenosis occurred (1.3%), one of them necessitating endovascular reintervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data from our retrospective experience show that carotid artery stenting is a safe and effective procedure with technical results similar to those of surgery. Neurological complications represent a serious problem and their incidence rate is hard to reduce. At 3-year follow-up, the restenosis rate was low.
authors.affiliation: U.O. di Chirurgia Vascolare, A.O. Ospedale Maggiore, Crema (CR). a.farina@hcrema.it
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinazzola
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abbiati
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Arpini
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: Pierangelo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berticelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017130:Angioplasty; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin