Presentation Description
Institution: University Hospital Geelong - Victoria, Australia
Purpose/Aim
Carotid artery stenting has historically been associated with a higher risk of perioperative stroke as compared to carotid endarterectomy (CEA), especially in the symptomatic population. After adopting a more liberal strategy to selecting patients for carotid artery stenting, we sought to evaluate the safety of this approach in Australia with modern techniques and technology.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing transfemoral carotid artery stenting (tfCAS) and transcarotid artery revascularisation (TCAR) at our institution within the 36 months to September 2025. Patients were selected for tfCAS/TCAR where there was clinical equipoise between these and CEA, or a relative contraindication to CEA. The primary outcome was the 30-day ipsilateral stroke rate. All interventions were performed by two experienced operators. All patients were given dual antiplatelet therapy preoperatively and for at least 30 days postoperatively.
Results
37 patients in total underwent carotid artery stenting procedures with a 100% technical success rate. 35 patients underwent tfCAS (95%) and 2 underwent TCAR with flow reversal (5%). Only 1 tfCAS patient did not have an embolic protection mechanism employed (due to severe distal tortuosity). 21 patients (57%) were symptomatic and 16 (43%) were asymptomatic. 23 lesions (62%) were high grade (80-99% stenosis). 18 patients (49%) received a dual-layer/micromesh stent. The ipsilateral stroke rate at 30 days and composite stroke/death rate at 30 days were both 0%.
Conclusion
A liberal carotid artery stenting strategy is safe in Australia with modern techniques and a reasonable case volume to maintain proficiency.
Speakers
Authors
Authors
Dr Enis Kocak -

