For patients at high risk for surgery, carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a viable alternative
to help reduce risk of stroke for patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis;
however, a higher incidence of perioperative stroke has been observed in patients
undergoing stenting compared to those undergoing open surgery. Intravascular ultrasound
(IVUS) is commonly used during coronary artery procedures to help evaluate lesions
and to guide stent placement. Multiple groups have sought to determine whether IVUS
could also be used during CAS. While IVUS has been shown to be both feasible and safe
during CAS, there is limited evidence that demonstrates direct improvement in procedural
outcomes. Further studies focusing on clinical outcomes should be conducted in order
to justify routine use of this technology during CAS.
Keywords
stroke - carotid stenosis - carotid stent - internal carotid artery - intravascular
ultrasound - microemboli - ultrasound
