Smart Nitinol Stent System for the Treatment of Severe Atherosclerotic Carotid Stenosis

Before intervention, clopidogrel (75 mg/d), aspirin (100 mg/d) and atorvastatin (40 mg/d) were prescribed. One week later, aortic arch and aortocranial angiography were performed under general anesthesia to determine the site, range and extent of the lesion and the status of the cerebral microcirculation, and consequently to inform the treatment strategy and the selection of the correct size of self-expanding nitinol stent system.

Patients with carotid artery stenosis treated conservatively were commenced on an indefinite course of one or more oral antiplatelet drugs. The antiplatelet regimes comprised 100 mg or 300 mg aspirin before sleep with clopidogrel 125 mg or 250 mg daily; or 75 mg clopidogrel before sleep daily.