B. Eckert et al., ANGIOPLASTY OF THE INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY - RESULTS, COMPLICATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP IN 61 CASES, Cerebrovascular diseases, 6(2), 1996, pp. 97-105
A total of 61 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs) have been
performed in 58 patients with symptomatic severe stenosis of the inte
rnal carotid artery in our department since 1990. Forty-nine PTAs were
successful (residual stenosis 0-49%). In 5 cases, residual stenosis r
anged between 50 and 70%. Seven PTAs failed due to technical reasons.
Transient ischemic neurological symptoms occurred in 8 patients. Minor
stroke occurred in 2 patients with small hemodynamic infarcts, as rev
ealed by control CT scans. Disabling stroke occurred in 1 patient. The
overall neurological complication rate was 18%; the severe complicati
on rate was 1.6%; mortality was 0%. Out of the 53 patients surveyed du
ring the follow-up period (range, 3-48 months; mean, 16 months), there
was 1 ipsilateral clinical relapse in a patient with restenosis. Thre
e patients died, 2 of cardiac causes. One patient who refused surgery
died of fulminant stroke 3 months after failed PTA. Ultrasonic follow-
up in 47 patients (3-48 months; mean, 14 months) revealed asymptomatic
restenosis in 2 patients, resulting in a total of 3 cases of restenos
is. Carotid PTA seems to be a reasonable alternative to carotid endart
erectomy; however, in comparison to carotid surgery, clinical efficacy
has yet to be verified by means of randomized clinical trials.