Carotid angioplasty: review of the literature
Hassen-Khodja, R.; Sala, F.; Declemy, S.; Pittaluga, P.; Batt, M.
Journal des Maladies Vasculaires 23(4): 243-250
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-0499 PMID: 9827402 Document Number: 487504
In order to assess the current knowledge of carotid angioplasty and stenting, we reviewed the pertinent literature distinguishing two types of reports on angioplasty for atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery: case reports and series with less than 10 cases, and series reporting more than 10 cases. Each series was examined individually followed by a general analysis. The 11 largest series in the literature included a total of 912 patients. The rate of transient ischemic attacks ranged from 6 to 14.8%. Stroke rate varied from 1.5 to 9.1%. Restenosis was reported in 4 to 16% of cases. Based on the data available in the literature, we cannot recommend carotid angioplasty. Carotid endarterectomy is recognised as safe and is generally considered to be the gold standard. In order to assess carotid angioplasty and stenting accurately, prospective randomized studies comparing surgery and angioplasty are necessary.