Carotid artery stenting in surgical high-risk patients.

Recent studies have shown that carotid artery angioplasty and stenting may offer a viable alternative for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis, especially in high-risk patients. We report the results of a prospective single-center registry designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of carotid artery angioplasty and stenting with and without distal protection devices in high-risk patients. A total of 116 consecutive patients underwent 126 procedures and 127 stents were deployed successfully in 130 lesions. The majority of patients (63%) had restenosis after a prior carotid endarterectomy; 31% were considered to be ineligible for carotid endarterectomy by both the vascular surgeons and the interventional cardiologist and 9% were considered ineligible for surgery due to hostile neck anatomy. Periprocedural and follow-up evaluation included a thorough independent clinical and neurological assessment. Distal embolic protection devices were used in 44% of all cases. Procedural success was achieved in 122 procedures (97%). The overall rate of in-hospital major adverse cerebrovascular events (death, stroke, and myocardial infarction) was 2.6%. Event rates in patients with prior carotid endarterectomy were comparable to patients with de novo lesions with 5.2% vs. 2.4% death/stroke at 30 days and 8.3% and 6.6% stroke/death rates at 1 year, respectively. When distal protection devices were used, death/stroke rates were 0% as compared to 4.5% when distal protection was not used (P = NS). However, minor embolic phenomena were observed in both primary and secondary lesions independent of the use of distal protection. These results support the use of carotid artery angioplasty and stenting in high-risk patients with significant primary or secondary carotid artery stenosis. In both types of lesions, acceptable results justify its use as a valid revascularization method. While clinical embolic events occur in a minority of patients in both lesion types, they are not entirely prevented by distal protection.     

Carotid artery stenting in asymptomatic and surgically high-risk patients: single-centre, single-operator results

BACKGROUND:

Stroke represents the third leading cause of death in developed countries and the leading cause of disability in the elderly. Because asymptomatic, surgically high-risk patients have been systematically excluded from randomized trials of carotid endarterectomy and medical therapy, the management of this group of patients is still controversial. A single-centre, single-operator registry was analyzed to evaluate feasibility and safety of carotid artery stenting (CAS) with distal protection devices in consecutive, asymptomatic, surgically high-risk patients who were scheduled for endovascular treatment of significant carotid stenoses.

METHODS:

A total of 122 consecutive, surgically high-risk, asymptomatic patients (150 carotid arteries, 59% men, mean [± SD] age 69±9 years) with severe carotid stenosis and one or more high-risk features for carotid endarterectomy were scheduled for CAS. All procedures were performed in a single centre by a single operator. All patients were prospectively asked to undergo a clinical 30-day follow-up.

RESULTS:

A total of 154 stents were implanted in 150 carotid arteries. The primary success rate was 98.7%. The rates of stenosis before and after direct CAS were 81%±9% and 10%±13%, respectively. The median of fluoroscopic time of direct CAS was 6 min (range 2.5 min to 31.5 min). At 30 days, data were available in all patients. The combined 30-day mortality and stroke rate was 1.3%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Short-term outcomes of CAS in asymptomatic, surgically high-risk patients treated by a single operator suggest a low periprocedural complication rate.     

不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的颈动脉成形支架置入术治疗

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of carotid angioplasty and stenting for carotid stenosis in high-risk symptomatic NASCET-ineligible patients. Methods Twenty patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis at high risk ineligible for NASCET were treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting,12 of them were men,and 8 wre women,the patients ranged in age from 62 to76 years (mean age,69 years). Eleven patients had transient ischemic attack and 9 had cerebral infarction. Digital subtraction angiography showed that the degree of carotid stenosis in all patients was ＞ 70% (NASCET criteria). Among them,9 patients had unilateral carotid artery severe stenosis (2 had restenosis after endarterectomy),6 had bilateral carotid artery severe stenosis,5 had unilateral carotid artery occlusion with contralateral severe sentoses (1 had undergone cervical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma). The embolic protection devices,predilation,and self-expandable stents were used in all patients. Results The success rate of the procedure was 100%. The residual stenosis rate was ＜ 30%. The different levels of a transient decline in heart rates and blood pressure occurred in all the patients during the procedure. One patient was complicated with microembolic embolism. No ischemic stroke occurred in the remaining patients in the periprocedure. The postoperative examination with carotid ultrasound showed that the stenoses were improved significantly. No ipsilateral ischemic stroke and coronary ischemic events were observed at 1 and 3 months follow-up after the procedures. Conclusions Carotid artery stenting is less invasive,and the perioperative complications are fewer,The treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis with high surgical risks is safe and effective.     

不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的颈动脉成形支架置入术治疗

目的 探讨支架置入术治疗不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的有效性和安全性.方法 对20例不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者进行颈动脉支架置入术治疗,其中男性12例,女性8例,年龄62～76岁(平均69岁),短暂性脑缺血发作11例,脑梗死9例.所有患者数字减影血管造影显示颈动脉狭窄程度＞70%(NA-SCET标准),其中-侧颈动脉重度狭窄9例(2例为内膜切除术后再狭窄),双侧颈动脉重度狭窄6例,一侧颈动脉闭塞伴对侧重度狭窄5例(1例为鼻咽癌放疗术后).所有患者均使用栓子保护装置,均采用预扩张和自膨式支架.结果 手术成功率100%,残余狭窄率均＜30%.所有患者术中均出现不同程度的一过性心率和血压下降,1例患者并发微栓子栓塞.其余患者围手术期内无缺血性卒中发作.术后复查颈动脉超声见狭窄显著改善.术后1个月和3个月随访均未发现同侧缺血性卒中和冠状动脉缺血事件.结论 颈动脉支架置入术创伤小、围手术期并发症少,治疗外科手术高危的有症状颈动脉狭窄是安全和有效的.     

不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的颈动脉成形支架置入术治疗

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of carotid angioplasty and stenting for carotid stenosis in high-risk symptomatic NASCET-ineligible patients. Methods Twenty patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis at high risk ineligible for NASCET were treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting,12 of them were men,and 8 wre women,the patients ranged in age from 62 to76 years (mean age,69 years). Eleven patients had transient ischemic attack and 9 had cerebral infarction. Digital subtraction angiography showed that the degree of carotid stenosis in all patients was ＞ 70% (NASCET criteria). Among them,9 patients had unilateral carotid artery severe stenosis (2 had restenosis after endarterectomy),6 had bilateral carotid artery severe stenosis,5 had unilateral carotid artery occlusion with contralateral severe sentoses (1 had undergone cervical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma). The embolic protection devices,predilation,and self-expandable stents were used in all patients. Results The success rate of the procedure was 100%. The residual stenosis rate was ＜ 30%. The different levels of a transient decline in heart rates and blood pressure occurred in all the patients during the procedure. One patient was complicated with microembolic embolism. No ischemic stroke occurred in the remaining patients in the periprocedure. The postoperative examination with carotid ultrasound showed that the stenoses were improved significantly. No ipsilateral ischemic stroke and coronary ischemic events were observed at 1 and 3 months follow-up after the procedures. Conclusions Carotid artery stenting is less invasive,and the perioperative complications are fewer,The treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis with high surgical risks is safe and effective.     

老年高危颈动脉狭窄患者支架治疗的临床效果

目的　观察老年高危颈动脉狭窄患者接受支架治疗的临床效果。方法　回顾总结1998年 3月至 1999年 3月入院的 2 0名有症状的并接受了颈动脉支架治疗的颈动脉狭窄患者的临床资料 ,患者平均年龄 70岁 ,其中 18人 (90 % )同时合并高血压病、高脂血症及冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病 ,7人 (35 % )合并 2型糖尿病 ,15人 (75 % )合并周围动脉阻塞性疾病。选择性颈动脉血管造影显示病变共 2 6个 ,其中右 左颈总动脉病变 7个、右 左颈内动脉 19个 ,管腔狭窄均≥ 70 % ,病变平均长为 (14 5± 9 2 )mm。结果　支架治疗后血管造影显示成功率为 10 0 % (n =2 6 ) ,基础靶病变的最小腔内径 (MLD)为 (1 9± 1 2 )mm ,支架后MLD上升至 (5 9± 1 4 )mm ,与基础MLD相比P <0 0 0 0 1[正常的参照血管直径 =(5 3± 1 2 )mm]。直径狭窄百分比由基础 70 2 %± 13 3%降至 - 1 7%± 10 5 %(P <0 0 0 0 1) ,球囊扩张的最大平均压为 12 7大气压 ,每个靶病变平均置入支架 (1 5± 0 7)个。 19名病人临床症状明显改善 ,临床成功率为 95 % (19 2 0 ) ,1名病人 (5 % )在术后第 6天死于腹膜后血肿。85 %病人 (17名 )平均随访 (5± 2 )个月 (1～ 10个月 ) ,其中 82 4 % (14名 )病人无症状存活 ,3名病人在随访的     

高危症状性颈动脉狭窄支架成形术的疗效分析

目的分析颈动脉支架成形术治疗高危症状性颈动脉狭窄的有效性和安全性。方法对20例高危症状性颈动脉狭窄患者进行颈动脉支架成形术治疗,其中男12例,女8例;年龄为62～76岁,平均69岁。其中短暂性脑缺血发作11例,脑梗死9例。对所有患者均行全脑血管造影,显示颈动脉狭窄率均〉70％,其中一侧颈动脉重度狭窄9例（2例为颈动脉剥脱术后再狭窄）;双侧颈动脉重度狭窄6例;一侧颈动脉闭塞,另--N重度狭窄5例（1例为鼻咽癌放疗术后）。对所有患者使用脑保护装置,并均采用预扩张,预扩张后均使用自膨式支架。结果技术成功率为100％,残余狭窄率均〈30％。所有患者术中均出现不同程度的短暂性心率、血压下降,1例患者出现了微栓子栓塞,无其他严重并发症;其余患者围手术期内无缺血性卒中发作。术后复查颈动脉超声见,显示狭窄明显改善。结论颈动脉支架治疗高危症状性颈动脉狭窄创伤小,围手术期并发症少,是安全、有效的。     

Influence of diabetes mellitus on early and late clinical outcomes in saphenous vein graft stenting

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare early and late clinical outcomes in diabetic and nondiabetic patients after stent implantation in saphenous vein grafts (SVG). BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes mellitus have less favorable acute and long-term outcomes after stent implantation in native coronary arteries. The impact of diabetes on SVG stenting, however, is not known. METHODS: We studied 908 consecutive patients (1,366 SVG lesions) treated with Palmaz-Schatz stents. In-hospital and late clinical outcomes (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization rates at one year) were compared between diabetic (n = 290) and nondiabetic (n = 618) patients. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in diabetic as compared with nondiabetic patients (2.2% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.003). At one-year follow-up, target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 16.6% in diabetic and 12.3% in nondiabetic patients (p = 0.03). Overall cardiac event-free survival (freedom from death, Q-wave myocardial infarction and any coronary revascularization procedure) at one year was significantly lower in the diabetic (68%) compared with the nondiabetic patients (79%, p = 0.0003). By Cox regression analysis, diabetes mellitus was an independent predictor of both TLR (relative risk: 1.23; confidence interval: 0.96 to 1.58; p = 0.004) and late cardiac events (relative risk: 1.40; confidence interval: 1.05 to 1.86; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes undergoing stent implantation in SVG have: 1) higher in-hospital and late mortality, 2) higher one-year TLR rates, and 3) significantly lower one-year cardiac event-free survival. Thus, diabetic patients have less favorable acute and late clinical outcomes after stent implantation in SVG lesions.     

Immediate and late outcomes of subclavian artery stenting

Stenting for subclavian artery occlusive disease is being increasingly utilized. To determine the immediate and late outcome of subclavian artery stenting, we studied 38 consecutive patients in whom the procedure was attempted. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 35 patients without complications. Failures occurred only in completely occluded arteries. Late clinical success was demonstrated in 31 patients. Three patients had recurrent symptoms. Two had angiographic restenosis within 4 months of the procedure; both were successfully redilated. The third patient had a new lesion, which was successfully stented. One patient died from lung cancer 10 months after the procedure. We conclude that stenting for subclavian artery occlusive disease has favorable immediate and late clinical outcomes and may be considered as a primary therapy. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 46:169–172, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

早期有创干预对高危无ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征近远期预后的影响

目的探讨早期有创干预对高危无ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者的近远期预后影响。方法2001年10月至2003年10月期间连续入院的无ST段抬高ACS患者545例,随机分成早期保守治疗组(284例)与早期有创干预组(261例),随访患者30d与6个月的复合心血管事件(包括心脏性死亡、非致命性心肌梗死、非致命性心力衰竭、因反复缺血性心绞痛发作住院),评价早期有创干预对肌钙蛋白(Tn)Ⅰ或高敏感C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平增高的高危患者近、远期预后的影响。结果与早期保守治疗组比较,早期有创干预降低随访30d时的反复心绞痛发作住院事件及随访30d与6个月时的复合心血管事件(P值均<0·05);亚组分析示早期有创干预可明显降低TnI增高或hs-CRP增高患者30d及6个月的复合心血管事件及6个月硬性终点事件发生率(均P值<0·01),对TnI或hs-CRP水平正常者,早期有创干预无明显优势。结论早期有创干预能明显降低TnI或hs-CRP水平增高的高危患者的心血管事件,改善患者的近、远期预后。     

Multiple coronary stenting in unstable angina: Early and late clinical outcomes

We examined clinical outcomes in 110 consecutive patients with unstable angina who underwent multiple coronary stenting over a 32-mo period. The main outcome measures were death, stroke, myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, and repeat angioplasty. The angiographic success rate was 100%, and the procedural success rate was 96%. There were no in-hospital deaths and five (4.5%) patients had a myocardial infarction prior to discharge. There were four (3.6%) stent thromboses with one (0.9%) patient requiring urgent bypass surgery and two (1.8%) requiring repeat angioplasty. At late follow-up (11.9 ± 7.1 mo), there was (0.9%) death and three patients (2.8%) suffered myocardial infarction. Three (2.8%) patients underwent late bypass surgery and five (4.6%) had a repeat angioplasty. At follow-up, 86% of patients were event free. We conclude that multiple coronary stenting in unstable angina may be performed with a high procedural success rate and good long-term outcome. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:11–16, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Thirty-day outcomes of direct carotid artery stenting with cerebral protection in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Implantation of a carotid artery stent after predilation is a standard approach in the endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenoses. Stenting without predilation may be an alternative approach in a certain subset of patients. The present prospective, single-center registry was designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of direct carotid artery stenting (DCAS) in high-risk patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Symptomatic patients with stenosis >50% and asymptomatic patients with stenosis >70% were eligible for enrolment. Criteria for high-risk patients included: need or history of open heart surgery, history of myocardial infarction, multivessel coronary artery disease, left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < or =40%), severe pulmonary or renal disease, significant contralateral carotid disease, previous endarterectomy, and age > or =80 years. All procedures were performed using a filter protection device. Patients underwent complete clinical examination before and after DCAS and at 30-day follow-up. A total of 83 consecutive patients (45 males, 68+/-9 years, 33% symptomatic) underwent 100 procedures and 103 stents were deployed successfully. The technical success rate of stenting was 100%. Predilation of carotid stenosis was necessary in 1 (1%) procedure. Carotid-artery stenoses before and after DCAS were 80+/-9% and 7+/-9%, respectively. The median fluoroscopic time for DCAS was 7 min. The overall rate of in-hospital major adverse cerebrovascular events (death, stroke, myocardial infarction) was 5% (2 minor strokes, 3 transient attacks). There was 1 (1%) minor stroke within the 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: DCAS is feasible and can be performed with an acceptable risk in high-risk patients.     

Early and late outcomes of carotid artery stenting]

OBJECTIVE: Carotid artery stenting is a new approach alternative to surgical carotid endarterectomy. Cerebral protection devices improved the applicability of this technique. In this study, we evaluated applicability, safety and late clinical outcomes of percutaneous interventions for carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: A prospective study included 26 patients (15 female, 11 male, mean age 70+/-16 years) undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting with different sizes of balloons and stents for 28 internal carotid artery stenoses at Kadir Has University Department of Interventional Radiology between March 2002 and December 2004. Ten patients were asymptomatic, one had amaurosis fugax, four had transient ischemic attack within last four months, one had drop attacks, one had headache, seven had the findings of hemiparesis and three had hemiplegia. RESULTS: Stenosis rates were calculated according to North America Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial. Median stenosis rate was 85% (range: 60%-95%). All of the 28 internal carotid artery stenoses were managed with balloon dilatation and stenting (technical success rate 100%). Median residual stenosis rate after procedure was 14% (range: 0%-30%). Asystole developed in five patients and bradycardia in eight patients. Ipsilateral middle cerebral artery infarction occurred in two patients. One patient had intracranial reperfusion bleeding four hours after the procedure. No procedural death was observed within one month of follow-up. One patient died of myocardial infarction four months after the procedure. Cranial computed tomography revealed multiple metastases in one patient complaining of intractable headache and primary source was found to be pulmonary carcinoma. No stent restenosis was defined at Doppler ultrasonographic examinations performed 6 and 12 months after procedures with normal flow patterns and velocities. Two patients underwent control angiography at 12th month and myointimal proliferations with insignificant obstruction (25% and 30%) were detected. CONCLUSION: Carotid artery stenting seems to be applicable and safe procedure but it is associated with infrequent major complications. Results of studies comparing surgery and angioplasty will be helpful in defining role of stenting in the treatment of carotid occlusive disease.     

Carotid artery stenting with filter protection in high-risk patients showing severe electroencephalographic alterations during carotid endarterectomy.

PURPOSE: To describe the results and efficacy of stent treatment in patients with carotid stenosis who had aborted carotid endarterectomy procedures due to the appearance of severe electroencephalographic (EEG) alterations. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 18 patients (11 men; mean age 72 years, range 62-84) with symptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenoses (> or = 70%) who experienced severe EEG alterations during carotid endarterectomy, causing the procedure to be aborted. Twelve patients had shown no hemodynamic alterations during preoperative transcranial Doppler evaluation after external compression of the common carotid artery; the remaining 6 could not be evaluated. The patients were referred for carotid artery stenting (CAS); 7 had contralateral internal carotid artery stenosis and 5 had contralateral occlusion. Endovascular intervention was carried out using standard techniques under filter protection. Follow-up was scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated without immediate complications. The EEG did not display any significant alterations during the endovascular procedure. Mean follow-up was 43 months. Magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months showed no signs of cerebral ischemia. Color Doppler ultrasound imaging documented normal stent patency in all patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis (> or = 70%) who are considered at risk due to the appearance of severe EEG alterations during surgical treatment may benefit from CAS with respect to both major and minor complications. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.     

Procedural results and late clinical outcomes following multivessel coronary stenting

ObjectivesTo evaluate in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes in a large consecutive series of patients undergoing percutaneous multivessel stent intervention.BackgroundHigh restenosis and recurrent angina rates have limited the clinical outcomes of multivessel coronary angioplasty before stents were available to improve angioplasty results.MethodsWe evaluated in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI], and repeat revascularization rates at one year) in 398 consecutive patients treated with coronary stents in two (94% of patients) or three native arteries, compared to 1,941 patients undergoing stenting procedure in a single coronary artery between January 1, 1994 and August 29, 1997.ResultsOverall procedural success was obtained in 96% of patients with two- or three-vessel stenting and in 97% of patients with single-vessel stent intervention (p = 0.36). Procedural complications were also similar (3.8% for multivessel versus 2.9% for single vessel, p = 0.14). During follow up, target lesion revascularization was 15% in multivessel and 16% in single-vessel interventions (p = 0.38), and repeat revascularization (calculated per treated patient) was also similar for both groups (20% vs. 21%, p = 0.73). There was no difference in death (1.4% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.26), and Q-wave MI (1.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) was lower following multivessel interventions. Overall cardiac event-free survival was similar for both groups (p = 0.52).ConclusionsUnlike previous conventional angioplasty experiences, multivessel stenting has (1) similar in-hospital procedural success and major complication rates and (2) similar long-term (one year) clinical outcomes compared with single-vessel stenting. Thus, stents may be a viable therapeutic strategy in carefully selected patients with multivessel coronary disease.     

Carotid artery stenting in patients with high neurologic risks

Forty-four patient with high neurologic risks (Mayo class IV) successfully underwent carotid artery stenting with combined major stroke and death rates of 4.5%. Late follow-up at a mean of 23 +/- 1.8 months showed 1 non-neurologic death, but no neurologic events or repeat stenting procedures.     

Outcomes following extracranial carotid artery stenting in high-risk patients

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting has become a viable alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA), especially for patients considered at high risk for post-operative complications. This study investigated the feasibility, safety and long-term outcome of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in high-risk patients. METHODS: From July 1995 to November 2000, sixty-two consecutive patients considered to be at high risk for post-operative complications of CEA were followed prospectively after undergoing extracranial CAS procedures. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients [37 men (60%) and 25 women (40%)] underwent a total of 69 CAS procedures. The mean age was 67 +/- 9 years (range, 32-89 years). Comorbid conditions included hypertension in 95% and severe coronary artery disease in 58%. Sixteen patients (26%) had a previous ipsilateral CEA, twenty-one percent had a history of neck radiation and 32% had a history of significant contralateral carotid artery disease. Fifty-two patients (84%) were symptomatic. All 69 CAS procedures were technically successful. The major post-operative complications were two minor strokes (2.8%), one major stroke (1.4%) and one fatal major stroke (1.4%). The mean length of follow-up was 17 months (range, 4 months to 5.6 years). Two patients (2.8%) have suffered ipsilateral neurologic events following CAS. Long-term follow-up revealed restenosis at 6 months in 4 patients (5.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting is safe and feasible. This procedure produces satisfactory outcomes in patients who are at high risk for post-operative complications of CEA.