Covered Stents for the Endovascular Treatment of a Direct Carotid Cavernous Fistula : Single Center Experiences with 10 Cases

Objective

Covered stent has been recently reported as an effective alternative treatment for direct carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs). The purpose of this study is to describe our experiences with the treatment of DCCF with covered stents and to evaluate whether a covered stent has a potential to be used as the first choice in selected cases.

Methods

From February 2009 through July 2013, 10 patients underwent covered stent placement for a DCCF occlusion. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Covered stent placement was performed for five patients primarily as the first choice and in the other five as an alternative option. Access and deployment of a covered stent was successful in all patients (100%) and total occlusion of the fistula was achieved in nine (90%). Complete occlusion immediately after the procedure was obtained in five patients (50%). Endoleak persisted in five patients and the fistulae were found to be completely occluded by one month control angiography in four. The other patient underwent additional coil embolization by a transvenous approach. Balloon inflation-related arterial dissection during the procedure was noted in two cases; healing was noted at follow-up angiography. One patient suffered an asymptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion noted seven months post-treatment.

Conclusion

Although endoleak is currently a common roadblock, our experience demonstrates that a covered stent has the potential to be used as the first choice in DCCF; this potential is likely to increase as experience with this device accumulates and the materials continue to improve.     

Endovascular Treatment Using Graft-Stent for Pseudoaneurysm of the Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery

A 57-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of left oculomotor palsy. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the left cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) measuring 37×32 mm. The pseudoaneurysm was treated with a balloon expandable graft-stent to occlude the aneurysmal neck and preserve the parent artery. A post-procedure angiogram confirmed normal patency of the ICA and complete sealing of the aneurysmal neck with no opacification of the sac. After the procedure, the oculomotor palsy improved gradually, and had completely resolved 3 months after the procedure. A graft-stent can be an effective treatment for a pseudoaneurysm of the cavernous ICA with preservation of the parent artery.     

Endovascular Treatment of Iatrogenic Intracranial Pseudoaneurysm Following Stent Angioplasty

Intracranial pseudoaneurysm (IPA) is a rare disease entity associated with blunt trauma or penetration injury and less likely surgical or endovascular procedure. Decision of the therapeutic option is difficult and challenging in the treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm from the middle cerebral artery (MCA) that is necessary to maintain. We report our experience of reconstructive treatment of iatrogenic IPA, which was developed after stenting and balloon angioplasty, in the left MCA with overlapping Enterprise stents. J Neuroimaging 2012;22:194‐196     

无症状性颈动脉狭窄患者不同治疗方式后的临床结局

目的 探讨无症状性颈动脉狭窄（asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis,ACAS）患者药物治疗和介入治疗后的临床结局。      

The Clinical Outcomes of 75 Consecutive Patients with Cervical Carotid Artery Stenosis Treated by Carotid Artery Stenting

Objective

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome of 75 consecutive patients with cervical carotid artery stenosis and who were treated by carotid artery stenting (CAS) only.

Methods

From February 2003 to June 2008, there were 78 stents placed in 75 symptomatic patients (mean age : 67.3 years); 69 patients had carotid stenosis ≥70%, and 6 patients had asymptomatic stenosis ≥80%. No carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was performed during the same period. The patients were clinically followed-up for a mean of 20.1 months.

Results

The procedures were technically successful in all cases. Three (3.8%) patients had procedure-related complications. During the 30-day postprocedural period, there were no restenosis or major stroke. Minor stroke was noticed in 3 (3.8%) patients and 1 (1.3%) of the 75 patients suddenly expired 2 days after discharge. There were no new neurological symptoms that developed during the clinical follow-up period. The results of our series were not inferior to those the previously published in CAS studies, and in fact they were better.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that CAS may be safe and useful for the treatment of cervical carotid artery stenosis when it is used as the first line treatment in those institutions that lack enough experience with CEA.     

颈动脉支架成形术与药物治疗颈动脉狭窄的对比研究

目的 分析颈动脉支架成形术（CAS）与药物治疗颈动脉狭窄的疗效，并评价其安全性。方法 2003年11月至2006年3月采用颈动脉支架成形术治疗颈内动脉狭窄（狭窄率≥50％）21例,于围手术期进行抗血小板治疗及控制危险因素。单纯药物治疗组53例，药物治疗方案同治疗组。临床随访6～28个月。结果 21例手术操作完全成功，术后残余狭窄＜30％，术中3例患者出现一过性心率减慢、血压下降，2例出现颈内动脉远端血管痉挛，治疗后好转；术后未发生新的卒中，颈动脉超声未显示再狭窄。药物治疗组随访期间，5例患者再发卒中，颈动脉超声检查发现14例患者狭窄程度加重，其中2例血管造影证实颈内动脉完全闭塞。结论 与药物治疗组比较，CAS治疗颈内动脉狭窄可以提高患者的生活质量，而且比较安全，短期疗效较好，但有待大样本研究结果证实     

覆膜支架治疗创伤性颈内动脉假性动脉瘤

目的探讨用覆膜支架治疗创伤性颈内动脉假性动脉瘤的临床效果。方法覆膜支架治疗5例创伤性颈内动脉假性动脉瘤,并于3个月后对2例患者进行DSA复查。结果5例病人均获得良好治疗效果,动脉瘤不显影,载瘤动脉通畅,无并发症发生。结论血管内覆膜支架治疗创伤性颈内动脉假性动脉瘤是一种有效的治疗方法。     

颈动脉狭窄的诊断与治疗

目的 研究颈动脉狭窄的诊断与治疗方法。方法 选择短暂性脑缺血性发作(TIA)患者行全脑血管造影,了解血管病变部位和狭窄程度。颈动脉狭窄<50％者行颈动脉注射尿激酶治疗;颈动脉狭窄>50％者行颈动脉内膜剥脱手术或血管内支架置入治疗。结果 4年来58例TIA患者中,发现颈动脉狭窄16例,其中狭窄<50％者8例经尿激酶颈动脉注射治疗后,TIA终止;狭窄>70%者8例,其中1例动脉粥样硬化斑块性狭窄行颈动脉内膜剥脱术,5例动脉粥样硬化斑块性狭窄、1例多发性大动脉炎及1例颈动脉夹层动脉瘤均行自膨式支架置入治疗。7例患者8处病变共置入自膨式支架12枚,治疗效果良好,随访3～20个月无再狭窄发生。结论 颈动脉狭窄是TIA发作的重要原因,而颈动脉内膜剥脱术和支架置入是治疗颈动脉狭窄的有效手段。     

分期支架治疗颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈内动脉狭窄的疗效与安全性观察

目的 观察分期支架治疗颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈内动脉狭窄患者的疗效及安全性。
方法 回顾性分析2017年1-12月在西安交通大学第一附属医院神经内科连续住院的颈内动脉次全
闭塞伴对侧颈内动脉狭窄患者的临床资料。采用分期治疗的方法，一期使用小球囊扩张次全闭塞侧
颈内动脉，间隔2周后进行二期支架置入。观察手术技术成功率，手术成功指一期小球囊扩张后狭窄
率减小，局部无夹层，且二期支架置入位置良好，残余狭窄率≤30%，前向血流mTICI 3级；围手术期
并发症（包括高灌注综合征、脑梗死、TIA等）及死亡情况；随访1个月、3个月、6个月及3年的mRS评分，
以及心脑血管事件和全因死亡。
结果 共纳入7例颈内动脉次全闭塞患者，平均年龄63.0±3.4岁，男性6例；其中6例为左侧，6例合
并对侧颈内动脉狭窄≥50%。手术技术成功率100%（7/7），所有患者均未发生围手术期并发症及死
亡。1个月随访时1例患者mRS评分为1分，其他6例均为0分，其余时间点所有患者均为0分，3年随访时1
例患者于术后1年发生冠心病。
结论 分期支架治疗在颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈动脉狭窄患者中相对安全，并对颈内动脉狭窄
的改善明显。     

分期支架治疗颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈内动脉狭窄的疗效与安全性观察

目的 观察分期支架治疗颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈内动脉狭窄患者的疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2017年1-12月在西安交通大学第一附属医院神经内科连续住院的颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈内动脉狭窄患者的临床资料。采用分期治疗的方法,一期使用小球囊扩张次全闭塞侧颈内动脉,间隔2周后进行二期支架置入。观察手术技术成功率,手术成功指一期小球囊扩张后狭窄率减小,局部无夹层,且二期支架置入位置良好,残余狭窄率≤30%,前向血流mTICI 3级;围手术期并发症（包括高灌注综合征、脑梗死、TIA等）及死亡情况;随访1个月、3个月、6个月及3年的mRS评分,以及心脑血管事件和全因死亡。结果 共纳入7例颈内动脉次全闭塞患者,平均年龄63.0±3.4岁,男性6例;其中6例为左侧,6例合并对侧颈内动脉狭窄≥50%。手术技术成功率100%（7/7）,所有患者均未发生围手术期并发症及死亡。1个月随访时1例患者mRS评分为1分,其他6例均为0分,其余时间点所有患者均为0分,3年随访时1例患者于术后1年发生冠心病。结论 分期支架治疗在颈内动脉次全闭塞伴对侧颈动脉狭窄患者中相对安全,并对颈内动脉狭窄的改善明显。     

血管内再通术治疗非急性动脉粥样硬化性颈内动脉颅外段闭塞的疗效观察

目的 研究血管内再通术治疗非急性动脉粥样硬化性颈内动脉颅外段闭塞患者的安全性和有效性。 方法 对2015年3月-2017年5月入组的17例非急性动脉粥样硬化性颈内动脉颅外段闭塞患者行血管 内再通治疗并连续随访。所有患者在围手术期均给予强化抗血小板药物治疗。采用数字减影血管造 影（digital subtraction angiography,DSA）和改良Rankin量表（modified Rankin Scale,mRS）随访评价血管 内再通的疗效和围手术期并发症,如过度灌注综合征、颅内出血、支架内血栓、夹层等。 结果 所有17例患者中,11例成功开通,6例未成功开通。17例患者临床随访中位时间为3（1,3,6）个 月,术后6个月mRS中位数为1（0～4）分。术后6个月评估11例成功开通患者中有9例病情好转,2例稳定; 6例未成功开通患者中,1例病情好转,2例稳定,3例仍有缺血事件发作。7例接受影像随访的患者中,1 例出现支架内再狭窄。通过Wilcoxon秩和检验成功开通患者手术前后mRS评分比较,差异具有统计学 意义（Z =－2.807,P =0.005）。所有患者在围手术期均未出现并发症。 结论 非急性动脉粥样硬化性颈内动脉颅外段闭塞患者行血管内再通治疗在技术上可行,患者短期 预后改善明显,但远期疗效还有待进一步观察。     

国产颅内血管内支架组织相容性研究

目的探讨国产血管内支架对血管壁的影响。方法在7只体重为28～37 kg的杂交香猪的上颌动脉或舌动脉内放置国产Q/TETA15-2002不锈钢颅内血管内支架,于放置后的第1、3、5、7个月取材,采用光镜及扫描和透射电镜,观察支架表面被覆的新生内膜及血管壁组织相容性。结果支架放置后第1、3、5、7个月未观察结果: (1)大体所见支架置入后被完全包裹,内膜层增厚,由新生内皮及胶原纤维覆盖;(2)光镜下见支架金属丝侧平滑肌细胞增生明显,未见以单核巨噬细胞浸润为特征的组织变性、坏死、变态反应性炎症现象;(3)电镜下可见新生内皮及胶原纤维覆盖支架;(4)血管内支架置入后血管损伤修复造成血管内径损失百分比有降低趋势。结论国产Q/TE- TA15-2002不锈钢颅内血管内支架组织相容性好,血管内壁表面光滑,未见血栓形成,血管内径损失程度低。     

Stent recanalization of carotid tonsillar loop dissection using the Enterprise vascular reconstruction device

Although advances in endovascular techniques have permitted reconstruction of intimal dissections and related pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial cervical internal carotid artery, highly tortuous tonsillar loop anatomic variants still pose an obstacle to conventional extracranial self-expanding carotid stents. During a 12 year period, nine of 48 cases with cervical carotid dissections were associated with a tonsillar loop. Five patients required endovascular treatment, which was performed using a microcatheter-based technique with the low-profile Enterprise vascular reconstruction device (Codman Neurovascular, Raynham, MA, USA). Technical, radiographic, and clinical outcomes were analyzed for each patient. Dissection etiology was spontaneous in three patients, iatrogenic in one, and traumatic in one. Four near-occlusive tonsillar loop dissections were successfully recanalized during the acute phase. Dissection-related stenosis improved from 90 ± 22% to 31 ± 13%, with tandem stents needed in three instances to seal the inflow zone. There were no procedure-related transient ischemic attacks (TIA), minor/major strokes, or deaths. Angiographic follow-up for a mean of 28.0 ± 21.6 months showed all stents were patent, with average stenosis of 25.2 ± 12.2%. Focal ovalization and kinking of the closed-cell design was noted at the sharpest curve in one patient. Clinical outcome (follow-up of 28.1 ± 21.5 months) demonstrated overall improvement with no clinical worsening, new TIA, or stroke. Tonsillar loop-associated carotid dissections can be successfully and durably recanalized using the low-profile Enterprise stent with an excellent long-term patency rate and low procedural risk. The possibility of stent kinking and low radial force should be considered when planning reconstruction with this device.