Two different carotid artery stenting procedures show little difference in effectiveness
Findings represent first comparative effectiveness study of embolic protection devices used to prevent stroke
2015-04-20
(Press-News.org) PHILADELPHIA - Use of either proximal embolic protection devices (P-EPDs) or distal filter embolic protection devices (F-EPDs) during elective carotid artery stenting results in low rates of in-hospital stroke and death, according to a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, found that although P-EPDs have been theorized to be more effective than F-EPDs at preventing stroke during carotid artery stenting, this first comparative effectiveness study revealed no statistically significant difference between the two devices.
Carotid artery stenting is commonly used to treat carotid artery disease, in which the carotid arteries (those that carry blood from the heart to the brain) develop a buildup of plaque that can lead to stroke. During carotid artery stenting, the placement of small mesh-like tubes via catheters to open the artery and stabilize the plaque, there is a risk of releasing small amounts of debris into the brain's circulation. To prevent this problem, two types of EPDs were developed: F-EPDs have a small filter to catch debris; while P-EPDs stop blood flow to the brain in the carotid artery being stented, then debris-containing blood is removed before normal blood flow resumes.
"These study results challenge the notion that proximal EPDs are significantly superior to distal EPDs, or that they can serve as a 'magic bullet' for stroke prevention during carotid artery stenting," said first author Jay Giri, MD, MPH, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Penn. "Even for patients who had recent symptoms of stroke or mini-stroke -- who have been thought to get more benefit from proximal EPD -- this study showed no statistical difference in device effectiveness."
The research team examined 10,246 consecutive elective carotid artery stenting procedures performed with embolic protection between January 2009 and March 2013 in the CARE (Carotid Artery Revascularization and Endarterectomy) Registry. P-EPDs were used in 590 (5.8 percent) of the cases, and the rest were F-EPDs. The differences in in-hospital stroke or death between P-EPDs (1.5 percent) and F-EPDs (2.4 percent) were not statistically significant, and the 30-day adverse events rates were similar for both P-EPDs (2.7 percent) and F-EPDs (4.0 percent).
"There is certainly no signal of harm with use of proximal EPDs, and our study cannot rule out a small benefit of these devices. The choice of EPD type in a given case really comes down to physician discretion," added Giri.
Given the overall results of this study, the research team has concluded that although a large controlled trial randomizing patients to these two devices might be useful, its feasibility is unlikely due to the scope necessary.
INFORMATION:
The other Penn co-authors include Daniel J. McCormick, DO, FACC, FSCAI, Benjamin Jackson, MD, and Preethi Ramchand, MD.
Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.9 billion enterprise.
The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 17 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $409 million awarded in the 2014 fiscal year.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania -- recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; Chester County Hospital; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.
Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2014, Penn Medicine provided $771 million to benefit our community.
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[Press-News.org] Two different carotid artery stenting procedures show little difference in effectiveness
Findings represent first comparative effectiveness study of embolic protection devices used to prevent stroke
