Five-Year Carotid Artery Intervention Outcomes

Introduction: With the advent of endovascular interventions, in higher risk surgical procedures, it is tempting to utilize minimally invasive techniques over open surgery. We reviewed our recent experience, analyzed the outcomes of carotid stents, and compared with open endarterectomy.

Method(s): Between 2017 and 2021, 53 patients had carotid interventions. Of these, 7 were stents and 46 were open endarterectomy. Univariate analysis comparing the age groups was performed. The median follow-up time was 18 months.

Result(s): There were no postoperative strokes in the stent group but the surgical group had 3 major strokes (6.5 vs. 0%, p = 1.000). However, the stent group had a higher rate of autonomic dysfunction (57 vs. 4%, p = 0.002). The rate of GI bleeding during the 6-month postoperative period was higher with stents.

Conclusion(s): Immediate postoperative risk is low for stents. However, they are associated with high rates of autonomic dysfunction and postoperative bleed.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2023