Evaluation of early and late outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting: A single-center 10-year retrospective analysis

Evaluation of Early and Late Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting: A Single-Center 10-Year Retrospective Analysis Stroke is a serious health issue that poses a major threat to public health and significantly affects quality of life. The majority of stroke cases occur in ischemic nature [2]. Asymptomatic or symptomatic carotid stenosis (CS) emerges as an important contributing factor to ischemic stroke, accounting for 10–15% of all cases [3]. Developed as an alternative to surgical treatment, carotid artery stenting (CAS) is being used as a safe and effective treatment option, especially in high-risk patients. This study aims to present a retrospective analysis of CAS procedures performed at our clinic. It focuses on CAS interventions carried out between 2014 and 2024, evaluating patients' demographic characteristics, medical histories, technical details during the procedure and long-term outcomes. Complications occurring before, during and after the procedure, the incidence of stroke and the impact of variations in techniques and materials on prognosis were analyzed. Data from a total of 140 CAS procedures were retrospectively reviewed with comparisons made between the symptomatic and asymptomatic CS groups. Smoking, pre-dilation, and filter use were significantly more common in patients with symptomatic CS, whereas hypertension was more prevalent in asymptomatic patients. No significant difference was observed between patients who developed hemodynamic depression and those who did not. Restenosis was significantly associated with smoking, use of pre-dilation, presence of symptomatic stenosis and age. In logistic regression analysis, smoking and pre-dilation were identified as independent risk factors for restenosis, while advanced age appeared to be a protective factor. The findings suggest that certain clinical and procedural factors may be predictive of complications following carotid stenting. Preventive measures targeting modifiable risk factors, in particular, may significantly contribute to improving long-term outcomes.