cardiovascular diseases

Risks of carotid angioplasty with stenting

Carotid angioplasty with stenting is a non-surgical medical procedure, whereby vascular surgeons "release" the occluded or severely restricted carotid arteries.

This dangerous pathological condition - which in medical language is defined as obstructive disease of the carotid arteries - is a possible consequence of atherosclerosis and may be the basis of episodes of ischemic stroke or TIA ( transient ischemic attack ).

Despite advances in medicine and the continuous improvement of medical technologies, carotid angioplasty with stenting is a practice that still has a certain margin of risk.

Possible complications include:

  • Pain, burning and / or small bleeding followed by hematomas, where the catheters were inserted. They are passenger troubles.

  • Formation of blood clots along the stent . The stent is the metal mesh that is placed in the occlusion site to maintain the caliber of the carotid artery stable. To minimize the risk of clots, a special filter is used, which is then removed at the end of the procedure.

  • Carotid artery re-closure

  • Allergic reaction to contrast fluid or anesthetics

  • Renal fluid induced by contrast fluid

  • Ischemic stroke. Performing angioplasty or stenting can cause the detachment of a small portion of atheromatous plaque that occludes the carotid artery. Once detached, this residue can flow into the arterial vessels of the brain and completely block the lumen. This involves the lack of oxygenation (first) and the death (then) of the surrounding brain tissue.

  • Death

WHO IS MORE AT RISK OF COMPLICATIONS?

To make the appearance of complications more likely, some health conditions affect, such as: very advanced age, hypertension, kidney failure, a strange anatomy of carotids, an abnormal form of atheromatous plaque, an intolerance to the liquid of contrast etc.