Carotid stenting offers safe option in the elderly

Carotid artery stenting can be performed safely in patients 80 years or older, according to study results released at the 2006 American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology meeting.

Drs. Italo Linfante and Ajay Wakhloo, interventional neuroradiologists from the University of Massachusetts, enrolled 178 patients from 2001 to 2004, 24 of whom were 80 years or older. The sample included more than 70% of symptomatic patients labeled moderately to severely ill. Half presented with severe coronary artery disease. All patients underwent carotid artery stenting, in some cases with distal protection devices. Outcomes revealed a procedural success rate of 100% with almost negligible complications, no deaths, and no reblockage at one-, six-, and 12-month follow-up.

Although carotid artery stenting in elderly patients remains controversial, the study outcomes validated its effectiveness and efficacy, researchers said.