Cutting balloon angioplasty in percutaneous carotid interventions.

complications. Results: Cutting Balloon success was achieved in all 178 patients. In 32 (18.0%), pre-CBA dilation was necessary due to inability to cross the lesion with the Cutting Balloon initially. CAS technical success was achieved in all patients. One (0.6%) patient suffered transient neurological intolerance due to flow cessation from massive debris in the distal filter; this event was completely resolved after the filter was removed (CAS procedural success 99.4%). One patient suffered a major stroke at day 15 (0.6% 30-day all stroke and death rate). At the 6-month follow-up, 174 (97.7%) patients were evaluated; 1 patient died from myocardial infarction at day 35, and 2 patients died from non-neurological or cardiac causes at days 103 and 158. The cumulative all stroke and death rate was 2.2%. Conclusion: These data suggest that CBA performed during the predilation phase of CAS in highly calcified lesion is a safe and useful method to prepare this lesion subset for stenting. J Endovasc Ther 2008;15:655-662