Long-term results after carotid endarterectomy for carotid artery stenosis with contralateral occlusion

Patients with one internal carotid artery occlusion and a contralateral stenosis run a significantly higher risk of stroke. We performed endarterectomy of the stenotic carotid in 44 such patients and followed them for mean 54 months (range 1–172 months). Early mortality was 2%. Life-table analysis shows that the incidence of a new stroke was 0.6% per year, the survival rate was 78% after three years, and 70% after five years. We conclude that carotid endarterectomy can be safely performed in patients with contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion and can significantly improve the long-term prognosis of these patients.     

Eversion endarterectomy of the internal carotid artery combined with open endarterectomy of the common carotid artery

The author presents a technique for endarterectomy and reconstruction of the carotid bifurcation in difficult cases when the plaque extends high into the internal carotid artery. The technique combines the aspects of the 2 most commonly performed procedures: carotid endarterectomy after a longitudinal arteriotomy extending from the common carotid artery into the internal carotid artery and eversion endarterectomy in which the plaque is removed from the internal carotid artery sectioned from the common carotid artery and everted. The author suggests applying this technique selectively in patients in whom the atherosclerotic plaque extends very high into the internal carotid artery. The technique offers the advantages of removing the plaque into the common carotid artery under direct vision and leaving the original dimensions and geometry of the internal carotid artery, theoretically decreasing the probability of early thrombosis and recurrent carotid disease. For routine cases, the author prefers and recommends standard carotid bifurcation endarterectomy with patch closure when the size of the arteries is reduced like in women and selected male patients.     

In-hospital outcomes of transcarotid artery revascularization and carotid endarterectomy in the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative

ObjectiveTranscarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) with flow reversal offers a less invasive option for carotid revascularization in high-risk patients and has the lowest reported overall stroke rate for any prospective trial of carotid artery stenting. However, outcome comparisons between TCAR and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are needed to confirm the safety of TCAR outside of highly selected patients and providers.MethodsWe compared in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing TCAR and CEA from January 2016 to March 2018 using the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative TCAR Surveillance Project registry and the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative CEA database, respectively. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital stroke and death.ResultsA total of 1182 patients underwent TCAR compared with 10,797 patients who underwent CEA. Patients undergoing TCAR were older (median age, 74 vs 71 years; P < .001) and more likely to be symptomatic (32% vs 27%; P < .001); they also had more medical comorbidities, including coronary artery disease (55% vs 28%; P < .001), chronic heart failure (20% vs 11%; P < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (29% vs 23%; P < .001), and chronic kidney disease (39% vs 34%; P = .001). On unadjusted analysis, TCAR had similar rates of in-hospital stroke/death (1.6% vs 1.4%; P = .33) and stroke/death/myocardial infarction (MI; 2.5% vs 1.9%; P = .16) compared with CEA. There was no difference in rates of stroke (1.4% vs 1.2%; P = .68), in-hospital death (0.3% vs 0.3%; P = .88), 30-day death (0.9% vs 0.4%; P = .06), or MI (1.1% vs 0.6%; P = .11). However, on average, TCAR procedures were 33 minutes shorter than CEA (78 ± 33 minutes vs 111 ± 43 minutes; P < .001). Patients undergoing TCAR were also less likely to incur cranial nerve injuries (0.6% vs 1.8%; P < .001) and less likely to have a postoperative length of stay >1 day (27% vs 30%; P = .046). On adjusted analysis, there was no difference in terms of stroke/death (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-2.2; P = .28), stroke/death/MI (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-2.1, P = .18), or the individual outcomes.ConclusionsDespite a substantially higher medical risk in patients undergoing TCAR, in-hospital stroke/death rates were similar between TCAR and CEA. Further comparative studies with larger samples sizes and longer follow-up will be needed to establish the role of TCAR in extracranial carotid disease management.     

颈内动脉完全闭塞的手术治疗

目的 探讨颈动脉血运重建治疗完全性颈内动脉闭塞的临床疗效.方法 2001年6月～2010年4月,收治颈动脉狭窄患者397例,术前行磁共振血管造影(MRA)检查,确诊并行颈动脉内膜切除术(CEA)治疗颈内动脉闭塞患者28例,术中切除标本送病理检查,术后复查颈部MRA,并对术后情况进行随访.结果 术后即时通畅率为92.8％,术后平均随访时间10个月,22例颈内动脉通畅,通畅率为78.5％,无脑缺血事件发生;6例颈内动脉闭塞患者中,2例在术后4个月发生短暂性脑缺血及腔隙性梗死;3例术后仍偶有头晕,其中2例单侧肢体麻木;1例记忆力减退.结论 对于有症状的颈内动脉闭塞患者,CEA加取栓术是安全有效的方法.     

Outcomes of carotid endarterectomy in the Vascular Quality Initiative based on patch type

ObjectiveThe Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) is the largest registry of vascular surgical procedures and as such is capable of distinguishing small but important differences in outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine the outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) based on patch type, including bovine pericardium, autogenous vein, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and Dacron.MethodsAll primary CEAs performed with primary repair and patching (n = 70,987) within the VQI were retrospectively analyzed. Reoperative CEA and combined CEA and coronary artery bypass were excluded. Rates of any postoperative neurologic event, return to the operating room (bleeding, neurologic event, or wound complication), and restenosis (>50% and >80%) at 1-year follow-up were primary outcomes. Rates were compared by patch type using χ² and Bonferroni analysis. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression models were used to predict end points of postoperative neurologic event, return to the operating room, and 1-year restenosis.ResultsDuring the period of study, 2003 to 2017, there were 70,987 CEAs entered into the VQI registry. Bovine pericardium was the patch material with the highest frequency of use (n = 51,480), followed by Dacron (n = 12,356), vein (n = 1460), and PTFE (n = 1638). Bovine pericardium, vein, and Dacron had lower rates of postoperative neurologic events compared with PTFE or primary repair. Bovine pericardium had the lowest rate of restenosis at 1 year. By multivariate analysis, bovine pericardium (odds ratio [OR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.89) and protamine use (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60-0.91) were associated with a lower incidence of return to the operating room. The use of Dacron, vein, and PTFE patches was not significantly different from the reference of primary closure. Multivariate analysis of postoperative neurologic events revealed that bovine pericardium (OR, 0.59; CI, 0.48-0.72) and Dacron (OR, 0.56; CI, 0.43-0.72) were associated with lower incidence of stroke or transient ischemic attack, whereas vein and PTFE were no different from primary closure. Bovine pericardium (OR, 0.57; CI, 0.44-0.75), Dacron (OR, 0.70; CI, 0.50-0.98), vein (OR, 0.72; CI, 0.53-0.98), and never smoking (OR, 0.87; CI, 0.78-0.96) were associated with a lower incidence of restenosis at 1 year by multivariate analysis.ConclusionsBovine pericardium has superior outcomes both postoperatively and at 1 year compared with other patch materials. The large volume of patient data contained in the VQI makes it possible to compare outcomes that have small but meaningful differences.     

Stenosis of one carotid artery with occlusion of the contralateral carotid

Summary 23 patients with unilateral internal carotid artery stenosis (>70%) and contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion in the neck are reported. The symptoms are referable to the side of the occlusion in 13 cases (57%), to the side of stenosis in 7 cases (30%) and non-localizing in 3 cases (13%). All 23 patients had a carotid endarterectomy performed on the side of the stenotic lesion. There was no operative mortality. Late neurological symptomatology after surgery was referable to the side of stenosis in 13% and to the side of occlusion in 9%. The authors consider that, in cases of significant stenosis (greater than 70%) of an internal carotid artery with a contralateral occlusion, preference should always be given to endarterectomy of the stenotic side, reserving extra-intracranial by-pass of the occluded side for patients who remain symptomatic after endarterectomy of the stenotic side.     

Bilateral severe carotid stenosis or occlusion and computed tomographic scan positive hemispheric stroke with neurologic deficit: Immediate contralateral carotid endarterectomy

In the last 10 years, 13 patients presented with acute, hemispheric, computed tomographic scan-positive stroke; neurologic deficit; and bilateral carotid stenosis greater than 90% (N=9) or ipsilateral occlusion with contralateral stenosis greater than 90% (N=4). To improve ipsilateral flow without elevation of pressure to levels causing hemorrhagic infarction, all patients underwent carotid endarterectomy on the side contralateral to the hemispheric stroke from two to 10 days (average 6.6 days) from onset of symptoms. Those with fluctuating deficits stabilized to the initial fixed deficit and all 13 improved over the next six months. Four patients with ipsilateral internal carotid occlusion and one with ipsilateral severe siphon stenosis were discharged on antiplatelet therapy; of the remaining eight patients, seven underwent subsequent ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy from 42 to 111 days (average 58.4 days) from onset of symptoms. Mortality and stroke rate were 0. The four patients with internal carotid occlusion and the one with severe siphon stenosis filled both hemispheres from the contralateral carotid artery arteriographically in four and by oculoplethysmography in one. One patient demonstrated preferential flow from contralateral to the ipsilateral hemisphere, but not the reverse; one patient demonstrated pericallosal collaterals. Immediate endarterectomy of the severely diseased carotid artery contralateral to a hemisphere with a computed tomographic scan-positive stroke causing neurologic deficit resulting from a severe carotid stenosis is a safe treatment option and may be beneficial in those with fluctuating neurologic deficits.Presented at the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, September 14, 1990, Newport, Rhode Island.     

Direct and primary carotid endarterectomy for common carotid artery occlusion. Report of 2 cases

BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia associated with chronic CCA occlusion is a rare condition and raises strategic dilemma when the revascularization is needed. METHODS: Two patients with CCA occlusion presented with ischemic symptom associated with the affected side. Both patients underwent vascular reconstruction by direct carotid endarterectomy to achieve primary restoration of CCA to ICA flow. RESULTS: Successful reopening of the vessels was obtained in both patients without the evidence of postsurgical ischemic event. Follow-up MRA was obtained at later than 6 months after surgery, which demonstrated patent CCA-ICA in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: Direct carotid endarterectomy of the occluded CCA can be safely performed if the preoperative angiography suggest still patent vessels distal to carotid bifurcation and the substantial "back flow" is obtained from ICA during arteriotomy.     

Outcomes for carotid endarterectomy in nonagenarians

ObjectiveCarotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a well-established procedure with prospective randomized data demonstrating the benefit of stroke prevention. With the aging of the population, there are limited data published for nonagenarians, especially for asymptomatic stenosis. This study investigated 30-day morbidity and mortality as well as late survival in symptomatic and asymptomatic nonagenarians with severe carotid stenosis undergoing CEA.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of a single vascular surgery group's registry involving multiple hospitals between November 1994 and June 2017 for all primary CEAs of patients ≥90 years old at the time of surgery. The exclusion criterion was redo surgery or bilateral CEAs. Demographic data, sex, symptoms, risk factors, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Survival analysis was conducted using SPSS software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) for the specific end point 30-day morbidity or mortality and late survival.ResultsThere were 77 patients (44 male [57%]) who underwent CEA for symptomatic (44 [57%]) and asymptomatic (33 [43%]) internal carotid artery stenosis with a median age of 92 years; 23 women were symptomatic compared with 21 men, and 23 men were asymptomatic compared with 10 women. Symptomatic patients included amaurosis fugax (n = 3), stroke (n = 16), and transient ischemic attack (n = 25). CEAs were performed using the eversion technique under cervical block with selective shunting. The 30-day morbidity included one (2.3%) nonfatal myocardial infarction and one (2.3%) ischemic stroke in the symptomatic group compared with one (3%) patient having a nonfatal myocardial infarction and none with ischemic stroke in the asymptomatic group. One patient of the symptomatic group required return to the operating room for hematoma evacuation. The 30-day mortality was 2.3% in the symptomatic group compared with 6.1% in the asymptomatic group. There was no statistical difference in survival based on sex (P = .444). The symptomatic and asymptomatic groups had similar median survival of 27.7 months and 29.4 months (P = .987), respectively.ConclusionsThe aging population adds increasing difficulty in decision-making for surgical intervention on carotid stenosis. CEA in nonagenarians is associated with reasonably low 30-day rates of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction in our small study. However, enthusiasm for asymptomatic CEA in this population must be tempered by low survival rates.     

颈动脉内膜切除术治疗症状性颈动脉狭窄

目的:回顾性总结应用颈动脉内膜切除术(CEA)治疗症状性颈动脉狭窄的早期效果和经验。方法:对82例(男66例,女16例,年龄48～84岁,平均68.6岁)症状性颈动脉狭窄病人行CEA。全组均经颈部血管多普勒超声和数字减影血管造影术(DSA)确诊颈动脉粥样斑块形成、颈动脉狭窄。手术采用气管内插管全身麻醉39例,颈丛麻醉43例。术中放置动脉临时转流管56例,其中全麻应用39例,颈丛麻醉17例。结果:全组无死亡病例,脑缺血症状明显改善者65例,症状好转者14例,术后并发脑梗死2例,颈动脉内血栓形成1例。结论:CEA是治疗症状性颈动脉狭窄的有效方法。     

Safety and long-term benefit of carotid endarterectomy in the asymptomatic patient

In order to determine the safety and long-term salutary effects of carotid endarterectomy in the asymptomatic patient, we retrospectively reviewed all asymptomatic patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy from 1980 through 1986. There were 60 carotid endarterectomies performed in 54 patients, 53 men and one woman. The mean age was 64 years. Arteriography revealed a high grade stenosis of 70% or greater in 46 carotid arteries (77%), ulceration in five (8%), and both in nine (15%). Risk factors included coronary artery disease in 60% of patients, smoking in 87%, hypertension in 67%, and diabetes in 22%. Perioperative morbidity included three cranial nerve injuries, one myocardial infarction and one contralateral stroke. There were no deaths. Mean follow-up was 47 months with only two patients being lost to follow-up. During follow-up three patients suffered ipsilateral transient ischemic attacks without recurrent carotid stenosis and one patient had a transient ischemic attack secondary to contralateral carotid occlusion. There was one ipsilateral stroke occurring two years after operation secondary to restenosis that required reoperation and four late contralateral strokes. Ten patients died in the follow-up period. Causes of death were stroke (1), cardiac (4), malignancy (2), pulmonary (2), and unknown (1). All surviving patients were evaluated by duplex scan at a mean interval following surgery of 47 months. Restenosis of endarterectomized arteries was seen at the following rates: less than 50% in 41 (87%); 50–75% in four (8.5%); 80% in one (2%); and 90% in one (2%). Life table analysis revealed a 98% ipsilateral stroke-free rate at five and eight years. In summary, (1) carotid endarterectomy in the asymptomatic patient can be done with low morbidity and virtually no mortality. (2) Late stroke occurs rarely in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the operated carotid artery. (3) Objective follow-up by duplex scanning shows only a 4% incidence of significant restenosis. (4) The low restenosis rate correlates with the low long-term stroke rate.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, New York, New York, June 17, 1989.     

A comparison of results of carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians and nonagenarians to younger patients from the Mid-America Vascular Study Group and the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative

Objective

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces stroke risk in selected patients. However, CEA risk profile may be different in older patients. We compared characteristics and outcomes of octogenarians and nonagenarians with those of younger patients.

Enhanced surgical exposure for the high extracranial internal carotid artery

The need for enhanced surgical exposure for the high extracranial (Zone III) internal carotid artery is not uncommon. In certain circumstances, the posterior border and angle of the mandible may interfere with access to the distal internal carotid artery (ICA). The use of modified mandibular osteotomies has provided vascular surgeons in our institution with improved exposure of the ICA in selected cases. The intraoral sagittal split and extraoral vertical ramus osteotomies of the mandible allow manipulation of the posterior border and angle of the mandible with low morbidity and minimal postoperative complications. These procedures can be performed for both dentate and edentulous patients without the need for intermaxillary fixation. This paper introduces these modifications and discusses the benefits over previously described methods of mandibular manipulation.     

Contemporary outcomes after carotid endarterectomy in high-risk anatomic and physiologic patients

ObjectiveCurrent guidelines state that the acceptable 30-day postoperative stroke/death rate after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is <3% for asymptomatic patients and <6% for symptomatic patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has identified certain high-risk characteristics used to define patients at highest risk for CEA for whom carotid artery stenting would be reimbursed. We evaluated the impact of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services physiologic and anatomic high-risk criteria on major adverse event rates after CEA in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing CEA from 2011 to 2017 in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program vascular targeted database. Patients with high-risk anatomic or physiologic characteristics were identified by a predefined variable and were compared with normal-risk patients. The primary outcome was 30-day stroke/death, stratified by symptom status.ResultsWe identified 25,788 patients undergoing CEA, of whom 60% were treated for asymptomatic carotid disease. Among all patients, high-risk physiology or anatomy was associated with higher rates of 30-day stroke/death compared with normal-risk patients (physiologic risk, 4.6% vs 2.3% [P < .001]; anatomic risk, 3.6% vs 2.3% [P < .001]). Patients who met criteria for high-risk physiology or anatomy also had higher rates of cardiac events (physiologic risk, 3.1% vs 1.6% [P < .001]; anatomic risk, 2.3% vs 1.6% [P < .01]), but only patients with high-risk anatomy had higher rates of cranial nerve injury (physiologic risk, 2.4% vs 2.5% [P = .81]; anatomic risk, 4.3% vs 2.5% [P < .001]). Asymptomatic patients with high-risk physiology or anatomy had higher rates of 30-day stroke/death, especially in the physiologic high-risk group (physiologic risk, 4.7% vs 1.5% [P < .001]; anatomic risk, 2.6% vs 1.5% [P < .01]), compared with normal-risk patients. However, among symptomatic patients, differences in stroke/death were seen only with high-risk anatomic patients and not with high-risk physiologic patients (physiologic risk, 4.6% vs 3.4% [P = .12]; anatomic risk, 4.8% vs 3.4% [P = .01]).ConclusionsAs currently selected, contemporary real-world outcomes after CEA in asymptomatic carotid disease patients meeting high-risk physiologic criteria show an unacceptably high 30-day stroke/death rate, well above the 3% threshold. These results suggest the need for better selection of patients and preoperative optimization before elective CEA.     

颈动脉内膜剥脱术治疗颈动脉狭窄60例临床分析

目的 探讨颈动脉内膜剥脱术治疗颈动脉狭窄的疗效及安全性.方法 回顾性分析新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院血管外科2009年1月-2013年12月行颈动脉内膜剥脱术治疗颈动脉狭窄的60例患者的临床资料.结果 本组无围手术期死亡病例.术后出现脑出血1例,脑梗死2例,轻度伸舌偏移2例.结论 颈动脉内膜剥脱术是一种安全有效的治疗颈动脉狭窄的手术方式.颈动脉内膜剥脱术关键在于严格掌握手术适应证,提高手术技巧和有效防治并发症.     

动脉内膜切除术治疗颈动脉狭窄和闭塞症

目的 总结颈动脉内膜切除术治疗颈动脉狭窄和闭塞症的经验。方法1999年1月至2003年7月,共为59例患者进行颈动脉内膜切除术64次。男40例,女19例,年龄56～79岁,平均71．8岁。颈内动脉狭窄程度均大于80％。左侧35例,右侧19例,另有5例为双侧。一侧颈内动脉完全闭塞8例,12例为分叉部狭窄,其余均为颈内动脉狭窄。均在全麻下进行了颈动脉内膜切除术,其中5例因管腔较小进行了补片,2例因外膜撕裂用自体大隐静脉行颈总动脉与颈内动脉搭桥术。结果本组有55例获满意疗效;1例于术后第五天死于高灌注综合征、脑疝;1例于术后第31天突发“心肌梗死”死亡;2例因颈内动脉远端已完全闭塞,剥除后无回血,术后病情无改善。并发症有声嘶1例,颈部血肿5例。结论颈动脉内膜切除术是治疗颈动脉狭窄较为简单和安全的方法。     

颈动脉狭窄血管内支架植入和内膜切除术治疗的临床选择

目的 探讨在不同条件下如何合理选择颈动脉狭窄的治疗方式.方法 回顾性分析经颈动脉血管内支架植入术(CAS)和颈动脉内膜切除术(CEA)治疗的133例颈动脉狭窄患者的临床资料.其中46例患者行CAS,87例行CEA.观察两组患者的住院天数和治疗前后的美国国立卫生研究院卒中评分量表(NIHSS)评分、前向血流,治疗前和治疗后1-24个月狭窄处收缩期血流速度峰值及狭窄程度,以及治疗后死亡、脑卒中或心肌梗死等终点事件的发生率.结果 两组住院天数和治疗后NIHSS评分>20层次时差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组治疗前后的前向血流评定差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);多普勒频谱测定两组治疗前后颈动脉狭窄程度有显著性差异(P<0.05);两组治疗后30 d内,终点事件的累计发生率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);31 d～2年终点事件的累计发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);6个月后再狭窄发生率CAS组高于CEA组.结论 CAS和CEA对颈动脉狭窄的效果无显著差异,狭窄的部位、原因及对侧病变是选择CAS和CEA的重要因素.     

Patients at elevated risk of major adverse events following endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis

Background

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) as treatment in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis is the subject of much debate.

Methods

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2012 was queried. Patients undergoing CEA for asymptomatic carotid stenosis were identified. Preoperative risk factors and patient demographics were compared using chi-square analysis and logistic regression to determine their relation with stroke and death.

Results

During an 8-year period, 24,211 CEAs performed for asymptomatic carotid stenosis were identified. Patients with dependent functional status (12.5%), recent myocardial infarction (6.3%), chronic heart failure (5.0%), hypoalbuminemia (4.8%), angina (4.1%), dialysis dependence (3.4%), steroid dependence (3.4%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.3%), and American Society of Anesthesiologists > 3 (3.2%) had a clinically significant increase in risk of stroke and death. Patients with none of the above risk factors had a stroke and death rate of 1.08%, which was significantly less than the overall stroke and death rate (P < .001).

Conclusions

A high-risk subset of patients undergoing CEA for asymptomatic carotid stenosis can be identified. If patient selection is optimized and perioperative morbidity and mortality are minimized, CEA will continue to play an important role in stroke prevention for those with significant asymptomatic carotid stenosis.     

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm associated with spontaneous occlusion of internal carotid artery

Summary Out of 921 patients diagnosed and treated for intracranial aneurysm in 5 cases (0,5%) the co-existence of ruptured aneurysm and occlusion of the internal carotid artery was found. 4 patients were treated surgically-aneurysm clipping-without serious post-operative complications and 6 months follow-up showed satisfactory results. In 4 of 5 cases the aneurysm was located on the anterior communicating artery (ACA); this fact may support the hypothesis concerning a possible role of enhanced blood flow in aneurysm formation and rupture. In cases with good collateral blood flow extra-/intracranial bypass before aneurysm occlusion seems not to be necessary. The risk of operation in those patients is not as high, as might be expected.