Feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of direct carotid artery stent implantation with use of the FilterWire EZ™ Embolic Protection System

Objectives: To report on early outcomes of prospective single‐center registry, which evaluated feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of direct carotid stenting using FilterWire EZ™ Embolic Protection System in high‐risk patients. Background: Little is known about the use of direct carotid stenting with FilterWire EZ™ Embolic Protection System and different carotid stents. Methods: Between September 2005 and August 2008, 176 consecutive patients (70 ± 9 years, 36% symptomatic, 89% at high risk) underwent 214 direct carotid artery stenting procedures with FilterWire EZ™ Embolic Protection System and different carotid stents. This study included both symptomatic (≥50% carotid artery stenosis) as well as asymptomatic (≥70% carotid artery stenosis) patients. The primary endpoint was the rate of 30‐day adverse events, defined as neurological death, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Results: We implanted 218 stents (55% with closed cell design) in 214 procedures. The technical success rate of direct stenting was 96%. Carotid artery stenosis before and after direct carotid artery stenting were 82% ± 10% and 10% ± 13%, respectively. The median of fluoroscopic time was 6 min (range 2.5–31.5 min). There were two (0.9%) minor strokes and one (0.5%) myocardial infarction within 30 post‐procedural days; the primary endpoint occurred in three patients (1.4%). Two patients expired from nonneurological causes unrelated to carotid stenting. Conclusion: Direct carotid stenting with FilterWire EZ™ Embolic Protection System is feasible and safe. Short‐term results with respect to neurological events are acceptable. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.