Catheter dilatation of proximal carotid stenosis during distal bifurcation endarterectomy.

Although the deliberate therapeutic dilatation of arteriosclerotic plaques was described more than 15 years ago, clinical acceptance of the technique has been slow [1]. Since Gruntzig and Hopff [2] developed a tough, reliable, and easy to use polyvinylchloride balloon catheter, however, the applicability of the technique has been extended beyond the dilatation of the iliac, femoral , and renal arteries, and now even coronary artery narrowings are treated [3]. Perhaps because of the fear of distal embolization , carotid artery dilatations have not yet been attempted . We treated a common carotid artery stenosis, and now report this success and details of the technique.