SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 11, 2011 – Results from the PROFI study indicate that the use of a proximal balloon occlusion in carotid artery stenting lead to fewer cerebral ischemic lesions – a predictor of stroke – than with the use of a filter. Trial results were presented today at the 23rd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.
Previous randomized trials have revealed a higher rate of stroke following carotid artery stenting when compared to surgical removal of plaque from the carotid artery. One of the reasons for this may be that the use of filters in carotid artery stenting allows plaque particles to travel to the brain. PROFI is the first randomized trial comparing proximal balloon occlusion with filter protection in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting
In the PROFI (Prevention of Cerebral Embolization by PROximal Balloon Occlusion Compared to FIlter Protection During Carotid Artery Stenting) trial, 62 patients undergoing carotid artery stenting with cerebral embolic protection for a ≥ 60 % symptomatic or ≥ 80% asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis were randomly assigned to proximal balloon occlusion or filter protection. The primary endpoint was the incidence of new cerebral ischemic lesions as assessed by diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). Secondary endpoints were the number and volume of new ischemic lesions and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE).
The incidence rate of new cerebral ischemic lesions was 87.1%in the filter group, and 45.2% in the balloon group. The mean number of new cerebral ischemic lesions was 3.5 in the filter group and 1.0 in the balloon group. There were no significant differences in MACCE at 30 days between the two groups.
"In this single center, randomized trial in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting, the incidence, number, and volume of new cerebral ischemic lesions were significantly lower under proximal balloon protection than under filter protection," said Joachim Schofer, MD, Professor of Medicine, at the Medical Care Center, Professor Mathey, Professor Schofer, Hamburg University Cardiovascular Center.
"A larger randomized trial with clinical endpoints is needed to investigate whether this benefit translates into a reduced periprocedural stroke rate," said Dr. Schofer.
The PROFI trial is not funded.
About CRF and TCT
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is an independent, academically focused nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life for people with cardiovascular disease through research and education. Since its inception in 1991, CRF has played a major role in realizing dramatic improvements in the lives of countless numbers of patients by establishing the safe use of new technologies, drugs and therapies in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) is the annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. TCT gathers leading medical researchers and clinicians from around the world to present and discuss the latest developments in the field.
For more information, visit www.crf.org.