Supra-aortic arteries angioplasty and stenting: An ultrasonographic followup

Purpose: Ultrasonographic follow up of patients with supra-aortic arteries angioplasty and stenting was performed to determine the normal characterist ics and to detect restenosis or thrombosis at the repair site. Material and methods: Twenty-eight patients were followed. The delay betwee n the procedure and the ultrasonographic examination was 1 to 5 years. Ther e were 32 procedures: 7 carotid angioplasties with stenting; 32 vertebral a ngioplasties (2 stentings), 2 brachiocephalic artery angioplasties (1 stent ing); 1 subclavian artery angioplasty. The ultrasonographic examination inc luded morphological and bilateral flow analysis. The usual criteria were me asured. Special attention has been given to the morphological aspect of the stents. Results: All of the carotid stents were patent. No restenosis appeared duri ng the follow up, A parietal thickening was observed in one patient without significant reduction of the arterial lumen. There were one vetebral and o ne brachiocephalic stent thrombosis. The results of the ultrasonographic ex aminations correlated well with magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion: The ultrasonographic follow up of supra aortic arteries angiopl asty and stenting is feasible. An early examination is recommended after th e vascular procedure to control the efficacy of the repair and to detect an d quantify the residual lesions. This phase is compulsory for an optimal lo ng term follow up.