Use of dual-layered stents in endovascular treatment of extracranial stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Results of a patient-based meta-analysis of 4 clinical studies

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of dual-layered mesh-covered carotid stent systems (DLS) for carotid artery stenting (CAS). Background: The need to minimize the risk for plaque debris prolapsing between stent struts following CAS has resulted in the development of DLS. Small clinical studies evaluating 2 available devices, Roadsaver and CGuard, have been recently published; none of these studies is sufficiently powered to test the role of common risk factors on the occurrence of stroke at 30 days post-CAS. Methods: A search was performed of multiple electronic databases for studies larger than 100 cases of CAS with DLS. Four single-arm prospective studies were identified, and individual patient data were collected. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of stroke at 30 days; secondary endpoints were technical and procedural success, periprocedural stroke, and in-hospital and 30-day rates of death. Results: The Roadsaver and CGuard stents were used in similar proportions, and technical success was achieved in all procedures (100% [n = 556]). There were 6 periprocedural strokes (1.08%; all minor). During 30-day follow-up, there was 1 death (0.17%) from myocardial infarction and 1 additional minor stroke (0.17%). The cumulative 30-day mortality rate was 0.17%, and the incidence of stroke at 30 days was 1.25%. No predictors of stroke at 30 days could be identified. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that DLS can be safely used for CAS, and their use minimizes the incremental risk related to symptomatic status and other risk factors.