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VIDEO: New procedure enables carotid stenting in very high-risk patients

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LAS VEGAS — In this video, Christopher J. Kwolek, MD, director of the vascular and endovascular training program at Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses the implications of the ROADSTER trial.

The trial, discussed during a session at VIVA 15, showed positive results for a brand-new procedure for treating carotid artery blockages in the neck (Enroute Transcarotid Neuroprotection System, Silk Road Medical). Kwolek explained that doctors perform a small incision about 1 cm above the collarbone and stop blood flow for about 5 minutes in the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery while balloon angioplasty and stenting are performed.

“The exciting part of this trial is that we are able to do this in very high-risk patients with outstanding results,” Kwolek said. “We found that in about 140 patients, our overall risk of stroke in carotid angioplasty and stenting was 1.4% in the highest-risk patients.”

An advantage is that the procedure can often be performed under local anesthesia, he said.

The next phase of research, at more than 20 U.S. sites, is underway, according to Kwolek.