Endovascular stenting for carotid artery stenosis: Preliminary experience using the shape-memory-alloy-recoverable-technology (SMART) stent

We describe our initial clinical experience using the newly available self- expanding, Nitinol, shape-memory-, alloy-recoverable-technology (SMART) ste nt in treating carotid artery occlusive disease. Five stents were used in f our carotid arteries in four consecutive patients with carotid stenosis of at least 70%. Technical success (<20% residual stenosis) was achieved in al l cases, No procedural complications specifically related to use of the SMA RT stent were encountered. All patients remained symptom-free. with no evid ence of transient ischemic attacks or new strokes during an average follow- up period of 6 months. Excellent performance of the SMART stent for the end ovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis has been shown based on our early experience. Validation with greater numbers and longer-term follow-up is required. The specific technical characteristics, potential advantages, and disadvantages of this stent are discussed and compared with other curr ently used carotid artery stents.