Background and Purpose-Ambulatory procedures increase patient comfort and e
nhance cost-effectiveness. We sought to determine the feasibility and safet
y of ambulatory carotid stenting.
Methods-A selected group of patients was admitted and discharged the same d
ay after the carotid stenting procedure. Immediate and short-term outcomes
are reported.
Results-A total of 98 ambulatory carotid stenting procedures (98 hemisphere
s in 92 patients) were performed. There were 66 men (72%), and the mean age
was 70 +/-9 years. Of the patients, 28% had neurological symptoms related
to the treated artery within 3 months before the procedure. Sixteen percent
of the patients had prior carotid endarterectomy, 4% had prior ipsilateral
neck radiation, and 8% had complete occlusion of the contralateral interna
l carotid artery. Successful access site hemostasis was ensured in all pati
ents with suture-mediated vascular closure devices in 96 (98%) and manual c
ompression in 2. Clinical follow-up was available for 96% of the patients a
t a mean time of 6 +/-4 months. There were no neurological events, deaths,
repeated procedures, or major access site complications.
Conclusions-Ambulatory carotid stenting is both safe and feasible. This app
roach will enhance the applicability of the procedure by increasing patient
comfort and potentially reducing procedural costs.