We report a case of a 63-year-old male patient with a previous history of ischemic stroke, motor sequelae and occlusion of the left internal carotid artery. He was admitted at the emergency room with an acute episode of a new ischemic stroke (4 hours after symptoms onset). The patient had an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy due to a recent liver biopsy. Thus, we decided to perform an emergency angiography of the carotid and vertebral arteries. Culprit lesion was identified and we decided to implant a self-expandable stent, obtaining angiographic success and significant clinical improvement. Although we do not have strong evidence supporting the chosen strategy ("primary" angioplasty of the internal carotid artery), it seemed to be the best one to be used at the time.
Carotid arteries; Carotid artery diseases; Stroke; Angioplasty
