The correlation of carotid artery structure characteristics and residual stenosis after stenting

Abstract

Objective To analyze the correlation of characteristics of carotid artery structure and the incidence of residual stenosis after carotid artery stent (CAS) placement and its influencing factors using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Methods Five hundred and ninety-six cases from January 2013 to December 2015 who underwent CAS (600 pieces of stent) were included in this study. All patients were examined by CDFI within 1 month before and 1 week after carotid artery stenting. The incidence of residual stenosis was analysed. The correlation of residual stenosis and the characteristics of carotid artery lesions and atherosclerotic plaque before stenting were analyzed respectively. Results There was positive correlation between the incidence rates of residual stenosis and irregularly shaped plaque (odd ratios, 9.02; 95% confidence interval, 5.21-15.59, P<0.05), the plaques with calcification in the surface(odd ratios, 2.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-4.49, P<0.05), the residual diameter of carotid stenosis less than 1.0 mm(odd ratios, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.45, P<0.05), which were the independent risk factors for influencing residual stenosis after CAS. Conclusions Choosing a more adaptable stent based on the characteristics of carotid artery lesions and atherosclerotic plaque by CDFI before stenting may be useful for the patients to get best result of revascularization. The rate of residual stenosis may be decreased. Key words: Ultrasonography, Doppler, color; Carotid stenosis; Residual stenosis; Rish factors