Carotid stenting for symptomatic radiation-induced arteritis complicated by recurrent aneurysm formation

We describe a 56-year-old male who underwent successful carotid stenting (CS) with adjuvant distal protection in response to symptomatic radiation-induced carotid disease. During the CS procedure, it was incidentally noted that the lesion yield pressure was surprisingly low (2 atm). The patient returned with local symptoms from common carotid aneurysmal dilation at the proximal edge of the stent that was successfully treated with a stent graft. A second aneurysm developed proximal to the stent graft and, based on intravascular ultrasound mapping, he ultimately underwent venous bypass covered by a free-muscle graft. We believe the low lesion yield pressure in this case reflected loss of vessel integrity and it may be prudent to avoid oversizing the stent in such patients. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;63:507–511. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.