Mid-/Long-Term Outcome of Neuroendovascular Treatment for Chronic Carotid Artery Total Occlusion

OBJECTIVE: The natural course of chronic carotid artery total occlusion (CTO) is poor. Previous reports suggested that carotid artery stenting (CAS) improves the clinical outcome of CTO. However, its long-term efficacy has not been established. This study assessed the mid- and long-term clinical outcome of CAS for CTO. METHODS: We evaluated the clinical outcome of 15 patients who underwent CAS for CTO between September 2010 and October 2019. RESULTS: The technical success rate of recanalization was 93.3% (14 of 15 patients). Eight patients were treated using self-expanding stents, and six were treated using self-expanding coronary stents. Symptomatic procedure-related complications developed in two patients (13.3%). During the follow-up period (mean 34.9 months), symptomatic ipsilateral stroke was not noted. One patient (7.1%) developed asymptomatic re-occlusion, but stent patency was preserved in 13 patients (92.9%). CONCLUSION: CAS for CTO may be safe and feasible based on the mid- and long-term outcome.