Impact of carotid stenting in dizzy patients with carotid stenosis

Background: Little is known about the impact of severe carotid stenosis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of carotid stenting (CAS) on HRQoL in dizzy patients with carotid stenosis.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic (≥60%) or asymptomatic (≥80%) severe carotid stenosis and who complained of dizziness and received CAS were recruited. Two HRQoL questionnaires-a generic survey, the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and a disease-specific instrument, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory-served as outcome measures. Patients were followed 1 week prior to CAS and 6 months postprocedurally.

Results: CAS was performed in 178 consecutive patients, 61 of whom complained of dizziness. Forty-one patients (67.2%, 34 male; mean age, 73.3 ± 10.5 years; range, 47-87 years) completed the study. Twenty asymptomatic volunteers (17 male; mean age, 70.3 ± 9.3 years; range, 54-84 years) served as normal controls. Compared to controls, patients tallied lower scores in the overall total and three subscales (physical, functional, and emotional) of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (p < 0.01). Similar findings were noted in seven out of eight domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey score. After 6 months, CAS resulted in significantly improved HRQoL (role physical, bodily pain, general health, social function, and role emotional) in these patients.

Conclusion: CAS resulted in improved HRQoL in patients with severe carotid stenosis who experienced dizziness.