ABSTRACT
This chapter describes, in a stepwise fashion, the technique of carotid angioplasty and stenting. Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) requires careful patient selection, counseling, and procedural planning. The potential for devastating neurological complications with CAS makes the treatment of carotid artery stenoses more challenging than angioplasty in other areas of the body. The size of the predilatation angioplasty balloon in relation to the native artery is taken into account when deciding what size of stent to use. In contrast to angioplasty or stenting in other arterial beds, the assessment of the post-stent angiographic result in the carotid arteries is different. Stable and secure access to the carotid lesion is the essential first step and is followed by guidewire crossing of the carotid artery lesion. The potential for neurological and cardiovascular complications when performing percutaneous carotid artery stenting necessitate meticulous preparation and planning.
