Abstract TP135: Urgent Treatment for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis: The Pittsburgh Revascularization and Treatment Emergently After Stroke Protocol

Abstract

Background: Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis remain at high risk of early recurrent stroke without revascularization. The aim of this report is to analyze prospectively-recorded data from an institutional protocol that standardized the urgent (<48 hours) treatment of patients presenting with symptomatic carotid stenosis and underwent either carotid stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: All patients presenting over 28 months to a comprehensive stroke center with symptomatic carotid stenosis within 48 hours of index event were screened for inclusion. All patients were given dual antiplatelet therapy. If there was clinical equipoise between CEA and CAS, patients underwent angiography and subsequently revascularization if DSA demonstrated ≥50% stenosis. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke or death within 30 days. Results: 178 patients with a diagnosis of recently symptomatic carotid stenosis were included; 120 patients (67%) met criteria. 59 patients underwent CEA and 61 patients underwent CAS. There were not significant differences in the primary outcome; 3 patients (5.1%) in the CEA arm and 3 patients (4.9%) in the CAS arm met the primary outcome. Conclusion: In this prospective analysis, urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis can be done with equivalently low rates of stroke or death, regardless of revascularization strategy.