Stent Placement for Treatment of Long Segment (≥80 mm) Carotid Artery Stenosis in Patients with Takayasu Disease

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of carotid artery stent (CAS) placement for treatment of long segment stenosis in patients with Takayasu arteritis. Materials and MethodsBetween January 2002 and February 2012, all patients with Takayasu arteritis found to have long segment (≥80mm) carotid artery stenoses at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. Five patients treated by CAS placement with either long or multiple self-expandable stents were included. All patients had focal neurologic symptoms, including three strokes and two transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Six self-expanding stents were used in five patients. The mean follow-up period was 19.2 months (range, 6–30 mo); all patients had clinical evaluation, laboratory examination, and vascular imaging follow-up. ResultsImprovement in clinical symptoms was shown after successful angioplasty. There were no perioperative or in-hospital deaths. Four patients exhibited persistent relief, and repeated angiography or computed tomography (CT) angiography showed normal flow. One patient stopped taking her medications after CAS placement and became symptomatic 8 months later as a result of a severe in-stent stenosis. ConclusionsCAS placement was shown to be a feasible option for treating long segment (≥80mm) stenosis of carotid arteries in patients with Takayasu arteritis with encouraging results.