Carotid Stents Are Not a Source of Microemboli Late After Deployment

Objectives: To evaluate the presence of microembolic signals (MES) in the middle cerebral artery distal to a stented carotid artery late after stent deployment. MES may be a signal of thrombus formation at the stent level.

Patients And Methods: Two patient groups were studied with transcranial Doppler at different intervals after deployment of Palmaz stents or Wallstents for stenosis of the internal or common carotid artery. Group 1: from 6 to 12 months after stent deployment; Group 2: > 12 months after stenting.

Results: One out of 19 patients in Group 1 showed MES (5.0%); however, this patient also had two mechanical heart valves. None out of 17 patients in Group 2 had MES.

Conclusions: Carotid stents seem to have a very low emboligenic potential after the early post-deployment period. This is a reassuring message for present and future patients harboring such stents.