The transfemoral approach is a common technique for carotid artery stenting. However, it has the risk of distal embolism when stenting for a stenosis of the proximal common carotid artery because of poor stability of the guiding catheter resulting in difficulty in setting the embolic protection device prior to stenting. We present a novel therapeutic approach and technique for the treatment of tandem carotid stenoses including the proximal common carotid artery. A 63-year-old man presented with double stenoses at the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery. We used a transbrachial sheath guide that had a 6 Fr (2.24 mm, 0.088 inch) internal diameter and was 90 cm long, and was specifically designed for direct cannulation to the common carotid artery, like a modified Simmons catheter. Because the sheath guide positioned in the aortic arch made it possible to introduce safely the embolic protection device distal to the internal carotid artery stenosis without touching the plaque at the stenosis with no use of any coaxial catheters or guidewires, carotid artery stenting for tandem stenoses could be successfully carried out. The postoperative course was uneventful. In carotid artery stenting, especially for stenosis of the proximal common carotid artery, the sheath guide designed for transbrachial carotid cannulation was useful in stenting the tandem carotid stenoses.
Keywords: Carotid artery stenosis; carotid artery stenting; tandem lesion; transbrachial approach.