What practical factors guide the choice of stent and protection device during carotid angioplasty?

The importance of angioplasty and stenting in the treatment of carotid artery disease cannot be underestimated. Successful carotid stenting does not only depend of the operator's skills and experience, but also an adequate selection of cerebral protection devices and carotid stents can help avoiding neurological complications. A broad spectrum of carotid devices is currently on the market and since all have their assets and downsides, it is virtually impossible to acclaim one specific device as being the best. The individual characteristics of each specific protection system or stent may make it an attractive choice in one circumstance, but render it a less desirable option in others situations. The applicability depends primarily on the arterial anatomy and the specific details of the lesion being treated. But certainly, personal preferences and familiarity with a specific device may legitimately influence the decision to choose one over another.