Complications and predictors associated with persistent hemodynamic depression after carotid artery stenting

We aimed to investigate the complications and predictors associated with persistent hemodynamic depression (PHD) after carotid artery stenting (CAS). A total of 204 patients undergoing CAS in two centers between January 2011 and November 2013 were enrolled for study into two cohorts: PHD (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg and heart beat rate <60/min, which lasted more than 1 h) and non-PHD according to their periprocedure detections. The complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The predictors of PHD were analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression model. 43 patients developed PHD, which lasted for 17.22 h on average. The complications occurred in 9 patients of PHD group (angina pectoris 2, myocardial infarction 1, cerebral infarction 3, transient ischemic attack 2 and intestinal obstruction 1), which was significantly more than non- PHD group (angina pectoris 1, cerebral infarction 1, transient ischemic attack 5, p = 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that diabetes, severe calcified plaque and a balloon dilation pressure of more than 8 atmospheres (atm) were the independent predictors for PHD after CAS. We concluded that PHD may be related to increased complications of CAS. Patients with diabetes, more severe calcified plaque and more balloon dilation pressure are more prone to develop PHD after CAS.