Dual-layered stents are safe to use for carotid artery stenting, new 12-month study confirms
Use of a dual-layered stent (DLS) for carotid artery stenting (CAS) is safe and efficient after 12 months, according to a new analysis of real-world data.
Previous studies had concluded that the use of a DLS for CAS was safe after 30 days. For this new study, published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, researchers aimed to learn more about its long-term impact on patient care.
“Although it is well known that the majority of cerebral adverse events after CAS occur in the first 30 postprocedural days, it cannot be denied that risk still exists beyond the first month,” wrote lead author Pasqualino Sirignano, MD, of the University of Rome, and colleagues.
The study examined data from 726 patients who underwent CAS using the CGuard DLS manufactured by InspireMD. All patients were treated from January 2017 to June 2019 at one of 20 facilities in Italy.
The mean patient age was approximately 73 years old, and more than 70% of patients were men.
For at least two days before each procedure, the patient received a standard dose of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). DAPT then continued for at least one month.
Overall, the authors found, there was one minor stroke, four transient ischemic attacks, two fatal acute myocardial infarctions and six noncardiac deaths among the patient population. Internal carotid artery restenosis was needed for just 0.82% of patients.
No specific clinical or procedural characteristics were associate with a greater stroke risk. Also, no connection could be made between the patient’s DAPT duration and the risk of an adverse event.
“The use of DLS has proved safe and effective in lowering periprocedural and postprocedural neurologic complications,” the authors wrote. “Thirty-day and 12-month follow-up results confirm their role in effectively preventing brain embolic events. The restenosis rate with this particular type of stent is very low, with only two patients requiring reintervention.”
Read the full analysis here.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.