RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Carotid Artery Stenting for Calcified Lesions JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 1590 OP 1593 DO 10.3174/ajnr.A1126 VO 29 IS 8 A1 Tsutsumi, M. A1 Aikawa, H. A1 Onizuka, M. A1 Iko, M. A1 Kodama, T. A1 Nii, K. A1 Hamaguchi, S. A1 Etou, H. A1 Sakamoto, K. A1 Kazekawa, K. YR 2008 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/29/8/1590.abstract AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our aim was to assess the feasibility of carotid artery stent placement (CAS) for calcified lesions.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using embolic protection devices (EPDs), we performed 51 CAS procedures in 43 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis accompanied by plaque calcification. Before intervention, all lesions were subjected to multidetector-row CT. The arc of the circumferential plaque calcification was measured on axial source images at the site of maximal luminal stenosis, and the total volume of the plaque calcification was determined. The angiographic outcome immediately after CAS, and intra- and postoperative complications were recorded.RESULTS: The mean arc of calcification was 201.1 ± 72.3° (range, 76–352°), and the mean of the total calcification volume was 154.9 ± 35.4 mm3 (range, 92–2680 mm3). Balloon rupture occurred in 1 procedure (2.0%) at predilation angioplasty; all 51 CAS procedures were successful without clinical adverse effects. Although there was a correlation between the arc of plaque calcification and residual stenosis (r = 0.6, P < .001), excellent dilation with residual stenosis ≤30% was achieved in all lesions. There was no correlation between the total volume of calcification and residual stenosis. None of the patients developed stroke or death within 30 days of the CAS procedure.CONCLUSION: CAS by using EPDs to treat lesions with plaque calcification is feasible even in patients with near-total circumferential plaque calcification.