This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Next-generation stent safe in carotid artery stenoses
Early results have indicated that a novel carotid artery stent featuring a double-layer design is safe and not associated with occurrence of any ischemia.
“These results suggest that further improvement has been achieved since the introduction of the relatively modern hybrid stents,” the researchers wrote in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy.
In all, 12 patients (median age, 69 years; 66.7% men) with high-grade symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis received the next-generation carotid artery stent (Casper Rx, MicroVention). Researchers examined several characteristics of the stent system, including radial force on expansion, bending stiffness and the collapse pressure of the thin, flexible sleeve.
Data revealed that technical success was achieved in all patients without predilation. There were no complications, peri- or postprocedural stroke, or stroke or restenosis at 6 months.
Results in experimental studies found that the delivery system’s bending stiffness was lower than when expanded in a 7-mm flexible tube (154.9 N mm2 vs. 467.4 N mm2), and that the radial force on stent expansion to 7 mm was low (0.011 N/mm).
In addition, due to the stent structure, the collapse pressure was high at 0.56 bar.
The foreshortening of the stent was 27.6%, which was significant.
According to the researchers, the lack of distal embolization observed in the study suggests the unique structure of the stent may provide better plaque coverage than other stents.
“The large foreshortening during implantation should be considered, as well as the higher bending stiffness, especially when used in elongated carotid arteries,” the researchers wrote. – by Brian Ellis
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.