Unusual case of delayed carotid stent fracture after transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)

Abstract

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) are the options most commonly available for carotid revascularization. Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is becoming a widely used alternative to conventional methods as a safer and more effective way to prevent strokes in higher risk surgical patients undergoing TFCAS, and has a more favorable perioperative complication rate compared to CEA. We present a rare case of delayed stent fracture which was incidentally noted on routine surveillance after a TCAR procedure. The patient was successfully treated with stent excision and interposition bypass with a reversed greater saphenous vein (rGSV) graft.

Keywords

• Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)
• Stent fracture
• Carotid bypass