Interventional therapy of carotid aneurysms with stents [Interventionelle therapie von karotisaneurysmen mit stents]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of coated polyester stents for the treatment of wide necked carotid aneurysms and to test their biocompatibility. Carotid aneurysms were created in an animal model by forming a pouch from the jugular vein and then treated by placement of coated stents. After performing control angiography at different intervals the animals were sacrificed. Histologic evaluation of the treated arteries was performed. The paraffin slices were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and elastica-van Gieson solution. Although primary exclusion of the aneurysms was effective, there was a high rate of occlusion of the coated polyester stents. The limited biocompatibility of the used coated polyester stents is responsible for the poor patency rate.