RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Cognitive Function in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis: Preliminary Results
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 265
OP 268
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A0828
VO 29
IS 2
A1 A.S. Turk
A1 I. Chaudry
A1 V.M. Haughton
A1 B.P. Hermann
A1 H.A. Rowley
A1 K. Pulfer
A1 B. Aagaard-Kienitz
A1 D.B. Niemann
A1 P.A. Turski
A1 R.L. Levine
A1 C.M. Strother
YR 2008
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/29/2/265.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Stenosis of the carotid artery may be a cause of reduced cognitive performance that can be ameliorated with placement of a stent. The goal of this study was to measure cognitive performance and speed of psychomotor performance prospectively before and after carotid stent placement.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients referred for stent placement for a unilateral carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in the study. Neuropsychologic testing was performed with a Mini-Mental State Examination, an extended mental status examination, a subjective cognitive status measure, and a psychomotor performance test for speed. The severity of the stenosis was measured on angiograms performed before stent placement. Three months after stent placement, CT angiograms were performed and the neuropsychologic testing was repeated. Differences in neuropsychologic test scores before and after stent placement were calculated and tested for significance with a Student t test.RESULTS:Seventeen patients with a single unilateral carotid stenosis of more than 50% completed the study. Stenosis of the carotid artery averaged 80% before treatment and 18% after treatment. After stenting, the scores from the extended mental status examination improved significantly. The scores from the subjective cognitive status measure also improved. No significant change was noted in the scores from the Mini-Mental State Examination or in the speed of psychomotor performance.CONCLUSION:Carotid stent placement in patients with a unilateral stenosis of the carotid artery resulted in significant improvement in cognitive test scores in this highly selected patient group. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.