Background Carotid artery stenting (CAS) as a competing treatment modality has had to adhere to limits to gain widespread acceptance in some studies. This study analyzed the clinical data of 1700 consecutive patients after CAS to retrospectively evaluate the 30-day outcome of CAS for internal carotid artery stenosis in a Chinese population. Methods Medical records of 1700 patients who underwent CAS at Xuanwu Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2001 and August 2012 were reviewed. Postoperative 30-day complication rates were analyzed and compared with those of other studies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with perioperation myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death. Results The overall 30-day rate of MI, stroke, and death after CAS was 2.53%. In univariate analysis, patients who were symptomatic, had a neurological deficit (modified Rankin score (mRS) >= 3; P=0.001), and who were not taking statins experienced a significantly increased rate of MI, stroke, and death (P=0.017). In multivariate Logistic regression analysis, the presence of symptoms (odds ratio (OR)=2.485; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.267-4.876; P=0.008) and a neurological deficit (mRS >= 3) (OR=3.025; 95% CI=1.353-6.763; P=0.007) were independent risk factors for perioperative MI, stroke, and death. Conclusions According to this single-center experience, CAS may effectively prevent and treat carotid artery stenosis that would otherwise lead to stroke. Being symptomatic and having a neurological deficit (mRS increased the risk of perioperative MI, stroke, and death.