Analysis of periprocedural medical complications during carotid angioplasty and stent placement

Aim: To evaluate periprocedural medical complications during carotid angioplasty and stent placement.Materials and methods: Data of all patients who underwent carotid artery stenting and were admitted to the postanesthesia care unit between January and December 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received conscious sedation, constant monitoring, and 0.5 mg atropine before balloon inflation. Risk factors and intra- and postprocedural complications were recorded. Results: Twenty-two patients were treated for asymptomatic carotid stenosis and 25 patients for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Of the symptomatic patients 3 presented with retinal symptoms, 15 with a hemispheric transient ischemic attack,and 7 with a minor stroke. During the procedure 19.1% patients had complications and during Postanesthesia Care Unit stay 45% had complications. None of the patients had a urinary tract or chest infection or developed symptoms of a hyperperfusion syndrome. In the 30-day postprocedural follow-up, one patient died due to pulmonary thromboembolism.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the overall incidence of complications after carotid artery stent placement was high.Therefore, patients with higher preoperative risk factors should be monitored closely.