Angioplasty and stenting for the occluded internal carotid artery.

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic occlusion of carotid artery. From December 2004 to June 2009, 17 patients with progressive or reoccurred ischemic stroke or repeated transient ischemic attack resulted from the total occluded carotid artery underwent angioplasty and stenting were reviewed. All patients with successful procedure were followed up. Clinic and angiography data were documented prospectively. The median time from symptoms onset to procedure was 23 days (range 3-94 days). Twelve of the 17 patients (70%) were obtained technique success. Eight patients were observed the collapse of internal carotid artery between occluded location to origin of ophthalmic artery after the occlusion was patent. Two patients had clots which were solved with urokinase. The collapsed internal carotid artery was improved markedly in the compute tomography angiograph 7 days after the procedure. No any complications related procedures occurred. One patient died from myocardial infarct and one suffered from ischemic minor stroke in brainstem for a median follow-up of 346.5 days. One of 9 patients (11.1%) was observed in-stent stenosis in the follow-up angiography. Angioplasty and stenting was a potential alternative therapy for symptomatic occlusion of carotid artery. Further study is required to determine the safety of this treatment.