Correlation between maximum thickness of carotid plaque and postoperative complications of CAS in patients with severe carotid stenosis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between the maximum thickness of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and the incidence of complications after carotid stenting in patients with severe carotid stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with severe carotid stenosis undergoing CAS were analyzed. The maximum thickness of carotid plaque was evaluated according to ultrasound imaging data.Patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal threshold value: 0.435 mm, which calculated in the ROC curve of plaque thickness. The incidence of complications within two years after CAS was analyzed. Results 85 patients were followed up for 2 years: restenosis occurred in 12 cases, the incidence rate was 14.1%, which was significantly correlated with the maximum thickness of atherosclerotic plaque(P=0.002). Postoperative restenosis occurred in 2 cases (3.70%) in group A and 10 cases (32.26%) in group B(P<0.001); Three cases (9.68%) suffered from relapsing cerebral infarction in group B compared to none in group A(P=0.020). Conclusion With the carotid plaque growing thicker, the incidence of restenosis after CAS in patients with carotid stenosis increases. Especially in patients whose maximum plaque thickness is more than 0.435 mm, the incidence of restenosis postoperative increases remarkably. Key words: Atherosclerosis; Complications; Maximum thickness of plaque; Carotid artery stenting