Clinical Predictors of Transient ischemic Attack, Stroke, or Death Within 30 Days of Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

The authors conducted a study to identify potential clinical risk factors for the development of postprocedural deficits after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Analyzed were the clinical cnaracteristics and the 30-day complication rates of 299 patients who underwent CAS for stenoses. Complications tracked (30-day outtCome measures) included transient ischemic attack (TIA), minor stroke, major stroke, or death. Statistical analysis revealed that advanced age or hemispherical TIA as presenting symptoms were independent clinical predictors of the combined 30-day outcome measures. The authors concluded that the type of presenting event predicts postprocedural complications after CAS and that patients should be stratified by presenting event.