RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Endovascular Stenting for Carotid Artery Stenosis: Preliminary Experience Using the Shape-memory–Alloy-recoverable–technology (SMART) Stent JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 732 OP 738 VO 21 IS 4 A1 Constantine C. Phatouros A1 Randall T. Higashida A1 Adel M. Malek A1 Philip M. Meyers A1 Todd E. Lempert A1 Christopher F. Dowd A1 Van V. Halbach YR 2000 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/21/4/732.abstract AB Summary: We describe our initial clinical experience using the newly available self-expanding, Nitinol, shape-memory–, alloy-recoverable–technology (SMART) stent in treating carotid artery occlusive disease. Five stents were used in four carotid arteries in four consecutive patients with carotid stenosis of at least 70%. Technical success (<20% residual stenosis) was achieved in all cases. No procedural complications specifically related to use of the SMART stent were encountered. All patients remained symptom-free, with no evidence of transient ischemic attacks or new strokes during an average follow-up period of 6 months. Excellent performance of the SMART stent for the endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis has been shown based on our early experience. Validation with greater numbers and longer-term follow-up is required. The specific technical characteristics, potential advantages, and disadvantages of this stent are discussed and compared with other currently used carotid artery stents.