Angioplastia carotídea con stent bajo protección cerebral en el manejo de la enfermedad ateroembólica: nuestra experiencia

objective. to describe our experience with the carotid stenting angioplasty using cerebral protection in atheroembolic disease. to establish its efficacy and safety. material and method. from april 1, 2004 until march 31, 2008, 58 carotid stenting angioplasty using cerebral protection were performed in 49 patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid lesions. procedural technical data are described. results. it was impossible to perform angioplasty in 2 cases. 5 patients presented transient ischemic attack (tia) and 3 presented hypotension or asymptomatic bradycardia. the stent did not remain in the right position in 4 patients. 1 patient presented reperfusion syndrome 12 days after angioplasty. 3 patients died within 3 months after procedure. the morbidity rate was 5.08%. discusion. the carotid revascularization is a better choice to the medical treatment in patients with moderate hemodynamic lesions and in asymptomatic patients with severe lesions. conclusion. the carotid stenting angioplasty using cerebral protection is a safe, effective and low-complication-rate alternative for the treatment of atheroembolic disease.