Endovascular treatment for cervical carotid artery stenosis presenting with progressing stroke: three case reports

BACKGROUND: Progressing stroke is said to occur when symptoms and signs worsen in cases of ischemic stroke. Although conservative methods using volume expansion with antithrombotic or anticoagulative agents are widely used for progressing stroke, in some hospitals, emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been performed for carotid stenosis, with mixed results. Here we report three cases with progressing ischemic stroke that were managed by endovascular surgical intervention. CASE DESCRIPTION: We performed endovascular surgery in three patients with cervical carotid artery stenosis presenting with progressing stroke or crescendo transient ischemic attacks. Endovascular treatment was less invasive and feasible for acute phase treatment. While local thrombolysis alone was found to be less effective, stent placement induced complete resolution of stenosis, but may result in hyperperfusion syndrome or hemorrhagic infarction. CONCLUSIONS: In an emergency, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with proper dilatation is preferred, and then CEA or stenting should be considered after the patient's condition stabilizes.     

颈动脉斑块常规超声及超声造影预测颈动脉狭窄患者缺血性脑卒中

目的 观察常规超声及超声造影(CEUS)评估颈动脉斑块、预测颈动脉狭窄患者缺血性脑卒中的价值。方法 回顾性分析115例经超声证实的颈动脉斑块致狭窄(狭窄率≥50%)患者,根据近6个月内有无缺血性脑卒中将其分为症状组(n=53)及无症状组(n=62)。以单因素分析及多因素logistic回归分析筛选颈动脉狭窄患者发生缺血性脑卒中的颈动脉斑块超声特征,建立回归模型,绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,评估其预测患缺血性脑卒中的效能。结果 单因素分析显示,组间颈动脉狭窄率、斑块表面形态及斑块内新生血管分级差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,斑块表面形态及斑块内新生血管分级为颈动脉狭窄患者发生缺血性脑卒中的独立预测因素,建立回归模型Y=－4.914+2.272X₁+2.354X₂(X₁为斑块表面形态,X₂为斑块内新生血管分级),其预测缺血性脑卒中的曲线下面积为0.886。结论 常规超声联合CEUS评估颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉斑块有助于预测缺血性脑卒中。     

Endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis under local anaesthesia

Background  

In this article, we present our experience with such operations performed under local anaesthesia.     

Acute carotid artery stenting in symptomatic high-grade cervical carotid artery stenosis

The safety and efficacy of emergency carotid artery stenting (CAS) for patients with acute ischemic stroke resulting from internal carotid artery stenosis are not established. In this retrospective study, we evaluated outcomes for CAS performed within 2 weeks of acute ischemic stroke for 16 patients treated between December 2009 and February 2014. Cases of internal carotid artery occlusion, internal carotid dissection, or intracranial major arterial trunk occlusion were excluded. Five patients were treated with CAS during the hyperacute phase (within 24 h of stroke onset), three in the advanced phase (within 24 h of stroke-in-evolution after admission), and eight in the acute phase (24 h to 2 weeks after onset). We evaluated modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores 90 days after CAS. For patients treated during the hyperacute phase without intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV-tPA), two had mRS scores of 2 and one had a score of 3. Two patients treated in the hyperacute phase with IV-tPA had scores of 5: one with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and the other with acute brain swelling. For patients treated in the advanced phase, mRS scores were 1, 3, and 5; the patient with 5 had contralateral cerebral infarction. All patients treated in the acute phase had scores of 2 or lower. Patients treated with IV-tPA in advanced or acute phases had no severe post-CAS complications. CAS was effective and safe for treating ischemic stroke within 2 weeks of onset. However, IV-tPA treatment may be a risk factor for CAS treatment during the hyperacute phase.     

Penetrating atheroma in cervical carotid artery stenosis

A 61-year-old male presented with left hand motor weakness associated with cerebral infarction in the right frontal lobe. Right common carotid angiography demonstrated a 66% stenosis and carotid duplex scan demonstrated intermediate echogenic plaque, indicating typical carotid plaque. Carotid endarterectomy was performed 22 weeks after the ischemic onset. During exposure of the carotid artery, a soft and yellowish mass (5 x 5 mm) was observed in the lateral wall of the carotid bulbus, which was not covered with adventitia but with thin connective tissue. The mass was removed en-bloc with a small part of the surrounding arterial wall combined with ordinary endarterectomy. The artery was closed with a collagen-impregnated polyester patch graft (Hemashield patch) to maintain adequate arterial lumen. Histological examination of the removed plaque confirmed that atheroma had protruded from the intima through the media as well as the adventitia and formed an extra-arterial mass. Such a case requires great care to dissect the carotid artery to prevent premature disintegration of the atheroma.     

颈动脉支架植入术并发症分析

目的 总结颈动脉球囊扩张及支架植入术(carotid artery stenting,CAS)治疗颈动脉狭窄术后并发症及处理措施.方法 回顾性分析2006年7月至2012年1月因颈动脉狭窄而接受颈动脉球囊扩张及支架植入术(carotid artery stenting)72例患者的临床资料.CAS操作采取标准治疗方法,患者术前5d均口服阿司匹林100 mg与氯吡格雷75 mg,所有患者均先放置远端保护装置,90％以上狭窄患者进行前扩张,残留狭窄＞30％则进行后扩张.结果 72例患者成功地植入颈动脉自膨式支架80枚,全部使用远端脑保护装置,5例患者行同期手术,其中冠状动脉搭桥手术( off-pumpcoronary artery bypass grafting,OPCABG)2例,左锁骨下动脉支架植入2例,1例肾动脉支架植入.住院期间并发症的发生率为37.5％(27例),其中严重并发症(死亡/卒中/心肌梗死)发生率为1.39％(1例同侧小卒中);其他神经系统并发症包括2例同侧TIA(2.78％),1例高灌注综合征(1.39％),血液动力学不稳定并发症的发生率为29.2％(21例),其中1例高血压(1.39％),5例心动过缓(8.33％),15例术后低血压(20.8％),其他2例出现穿刺点血肿(2.78％).结论 血液动力学改变(低血压、心动过缓)是CAS围手术期主要并发症,神经系统并发症发生率较低,严重并发症少见.     

Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and stroke in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

Purpose: This study was undertaken to assess the natural history of carotid artery stenosis in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at a Veterans Administration Medical Center.Methods: Between January 1989 and August 1993, all patients undergoing CPB were offered preoperative carotid artery ultrasound screening as part of an investigative protocol. Patients were monitored in-hospital for the occurrence of perioperative neurologic deficit.Results: A total of 582 patients underwent carotid artery ultrasound screening. Greater than 50% stenosis or occlusion of one or both internal carotid arteries was present in 130 patients (22%), with 80% or greater stenosis or occlusion of one or both arteries present in 70 patients (12%). In-hospital stroke or death occurred in 12 (2.1%) and 36 (6.2%) patients, respectively. Of the 12 strokes, five were global and seven were hemispheric in distribution. Of the five patients who had global events, none had evidence of carotid artery stenosis. However, of the seven patients who had hemispheric events, five had significant 50% or greater stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery ipsilateral to the hemispheric stroke. Therefore the presence of carotid artery stenosis or occlusion was significantly associated with hemispheric stroke (no stenosis 0.34% vs stenosis 3.8%; p = 0.0072). Furthermore, the risk of hemispheric stroke in patients with unilateral 80% to 99% stenosis, bilateral 50% to 99% stenosis, or unilateral occlusion with contralateral 50% or greater stenosis was 5.3% (4 of 75). No strokes occurred in patients with unilateral 50% to 79% stenosis ( n = 52).Conclusions: It is concluded that carotid atherosclerosis is a risk factor for hemispheric stroke in patients undergoing CPB. (J VASC SURG 1995;21:146-53.)     

高危颈动脉狭窄患者的血管腔内治疗

目的探讨高危颈动脉狭窄患者血管腔内治疗的短期疗效和并发症预防。方法对41例高危颈动脉狭窄患者行颈动脉支架植入术,术前狭窄程度为75.0%～98.0%,狭窄长度1.3～3.6 cm,患者均合并一种或多种内科疾病。结果本组均采用脑保护伞及自膨式支架,操作均获得成功,术中颈动脉造影残余狭窄率≤30%。12例患者于术中出现一过性不同程度心率下降,1例患者支架释放后近端出现动脉夹层,1例患者在支架置入后出现失语及右侧肢体偏瘫,无脑出血,经保守治疗14天后症状缓解。随访33例患者,随访时间3～18个月。随访期间,1例死于恶性肿瘤,1例死于心肌梗死,2例出现支架内再狭窄,但无临床症状,其余患者支架无移位,支架内血流通畅,无脑缺血症状。结论对于高危患者,血管腔内治疗近期疗效较好,规范操作可减少并发症的发生。     

Postoperative stroke after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients with carotid artery stenosis: a statewide database analysis

BACKGROUND

Carotid artery injury and stroke secondary to prolonged retraction remains an extremely rare complication in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, multiple studies have demonstrated that carotid artery retraction during the surgical approach may alter the normal blood flow, leading to a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area of the vessel. Others have suggested that dislodgment of atherosclerotic plaques following manipulation of the carotid artery can be a potential risk for intracranial embolus and stroke.

Endarterectomy versus stenting in patients with prior ipsilateral carotid artery stenting

Objective

In-stent restenosis is a recognized complication of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), and it is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Few case series have reported outcomes separately following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and CAS for the treatment of in-stent restenosis. In this study, we perform an evaluation of redo-CAS vs CEA in a large contemporary cohort of patients who underwent prior ipsilateral CAS.

Vascular reconstructive surgery for elderly patients with internal carotid artery stenosis at the cervical portion

PURPOSE: We encounted increasing numbers of elderly patients suffering from stenotic lesions of the cervical internal carotid artery. Most of them have been considered to indicate a need for carotid artery stenting. The purpose of this study was to clarify with regard to the modality of treatment and perioperative complications the effectiveness of vascular reconstruction procedure in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety eight lesions in 91 patients with stenosis of the internal carotid artery were treated surgically. Eighty lesions received carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and 18 lesions received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without stent. Treatment with PTA-with-or-without-stent has been opted in cases of patient with such conditions as radiation-induced stenosis, re-stenosis after CEA, unfitness for general anesthesia, bilateral lesions both of which need to be reconstructed with in a short interval. We divided the patients into 4 groups according to their age; under 70-year-old group, 70-to-74-year old group, 75-to-79-year old group, and over 80-year-old group. Vasoreconstructive procedures were performed for 41 patients in the under 70-year-old group, for 31 in the 70-to-74-year old group, for 21 in the 75-to-79-year old group, and for 5 in the over 80-year-old group. RESULT: The overall surgical morbidity rate was 2% (2 of 98 cases) and there was no mortality. Tweleve patients (12.2%) experienced transient neurological deficits. Two patients exhibited perioperative complications in gastrointestinal organs, but none of the patients experienced cardiac complications. Elderly patients tend to experience systemic complications such as gastrointestinal complications as well as transient neurological deficits, which appear as restlessness, possibly due to hyperperfusion syndrome. The perioperative complication rate in elderly patients (putting the patients of the 70-to-74-year old group, the 75-to-79-year old group, and the over 80-year-old group together) was, statistically, significantly higher than those in patients of under the 70-year-old group. However, when two treatment modalities, CEA and PTA-with-or-without stent, were compared, there was no significant difference in the perioperative complication rate. CONCLUSION: Careful patient selection and prudent perioperative management enabled us to perform vasoreconstructive surgery even for elderly patients with internal carotid artery stenosis in a relatively safe manner with an acceptable complication rate. Decision making in selecting treatment modality, CEA or PTA with or without stent, should not be based solely on aging.     

Indications for revascularization in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis

Three different strategies should be associated for ischaemic stroke prevention in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis: vascular risk factors control, anti-thrombotic agents, and carotid revascularization. Patients are selected for carotid revascularization on the basis of the presence of clinical symptoms and degree of stenosis. The optimal indication for carotid surgery is a severe recently symptomatic stenosis, since the benefits are marginal in high-grade asymptomatic stenosis, and in moderate symptomatic stenosis. Angioplasty with endoprothesis is an alternative to surgery, but it must be restricted to symptomatic stenosis either in randomized trials, or in severe stenosis in patients in whom surgery is contra-indicated.     

Subclavian artery to external carotid artery bypass with saphenous vein graft in the treatment of common carotid artery stenosis

A case of TIAs due to proximal common carotid artery stenosis which was successfully treated with autogenous saphenous vein graft between the subclavian artery and the external carotid artery is presented. A 57-year-old, right handed female was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of left common carotid artery stenosis which was pointed out at a local hospital. She had a 7-years' history of repeated transient right hemiparesis and/or left amaurosis fugax. No neurological deficit was revealed on admission. Angiography showed an 80% irregular stenosis of the left common carotid artery at its origin, hypoplastic A1-portion of the left anterior cerebral artery and hypoplasia of the left posterior communicating artery. No other stenotic lesions were disclosed in a four-vessel study. Several kinds of surgical procedures have been reported for the treatment of common carotid stenotic lesion, in accordance with the site and extension of the lesion and hemodynamic factors. To maintain a sufficient blood flow of the left internal carotid artery, we considered four different operative methods such as (1) endarterectomy of the common carotid artery, (2) subclavian to common carotid artery bypass, (3) subclavian to external carotid artery bypass and (4) subclavian to middle cerebral artery bypass. The first two operative procedures force to clamp the common carotid artery which was the only one feeding artery of the left middle cerebral artery because of poor cross flow in this case. These procedures were thought highly possibly to give rise to cerebral infarction on the left side. The fourth method needs a long graft which has higher risk of bypass occlusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)