症状性椎基底动脉狭窄的内支架成形术

目的　研究内支架成形术治疗症状性椎基底动脉狭窄的效果和安全性。方法　 2 0 0 1年 6月至 2 0 0 2年 4月间 ,16例症状性椎基底动脉狭窄患者接受了成形术。结果　 7例为一侧椎动脉狭窄、对侧椎动脉狭窄或闭塞 ,7例为优势侧椎动脉狭窄或对侧椎动脉仅供血小脑后下动脉区域 ,1例为基底动脉狭窄 (孤立性后组循环 ) ,1例为狭窄的椎动脉直接与小脑后下动脉延续。狭窄段位于椎动脉开口部 10例 ,位于颅内段 6例 ,1例患者为椎动脉近端 2处狭窄。MoriA型病变 12例 ,B型病变 3例 ,C型病变 1例。全组技术成功率 10 0 % ,平均狭窄率从 73.2 % (5 0 %～ 95 % )下降到 5 .1% (0～ 30 % ) ,P <0 .0 1。在围手术期内无严重并发症发生。随访 1～ 12个月 (平均 4 .4个月 ) ,按Malek评分 ,疗效极好 15例 ,疗效较好 1例。结论　对症状性基底动脉狭窄进行内支架成形术是安全和有效的方法 ,但长期疗效需要进一步积累病例和随访研究。     

颅内椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的介入治疗

目的 总结颅内椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的诊断和介入治疗经验。方法 分析23例颅内椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的症状和影像检查结果,并就其介入治疗策略作了回顾。结果 临床表现为自发性蛛网膜下腔出血和椎基底动脉缺血,DSA显示为血管的狭窄和扩张。采取夹层段支架植入加电解可脱卸弹簧圈(GDC)栓塞和夹层动脉GDC栓塞可有效缓解症状,防止再出血。结论 对颅内椎动脉夹层动脉瘤应根据具体情况,采取积极的手术治疗。     

经皮腔内血管成形和支架植入术治疗椎基底动脉狭窄

目的　探讨经皮腔内血管成形和支架植入术治疗椎基底动脉狭窄的效果和安全性。方法　 2 0 0 3年 4月至 2 0 0 4年 6月间 ,2 8例椎基底动脉狭窄患者进行了经皮腔内血管成形和支架植入术治疗。结果　 2 8例患者 ,18例为优势侧椎动脉狭窄 ,4例为双侧椎动脉狭窄 ,3例为一侧椎动脉狭窄、对侧椎动脉闭塞 ,1例为串联狭窄 ,2例为基底动脉狭窄。狭窄段位于椎动脉开口 7例 ,位于颈部椎动脉 2例 ,位于颅内段 17例。MoriA型病变 2 4例 ,B型病变 3例 ,C型病变 1例。全组技术成功率 10 0 % ,术前2 8例平均狭窄率为 81.3% ,术后残余狭窄率均 <10 % ,(P <0 .0 1)。所有病例在围手术期内均未发生严重并发症。本组随访 17例患者 ,时间为 6个月 ,Malek评分为 1分者 15例 ,2分者 2例。DSA脑血管造影复查 3例均未见支架内再狭窄。结论　经皮腔内血管成形和支架植入术是治疗椎基底动脉供血不足 ,预防椎基底动脉系统卒中的安全、有效方法 ;近期预后良好     

Stenoses of the first segment of the vertebral artery: difficulties in angiographic diagnosis

Pathology at the origin of the vertebral artery may be the cause of incapacitating vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). Preoperative diagnosis is made primarily on angiographic criteria. We compared intraoperative and angiographic findings in 30 patients and found important diagnostic discrepancies in patients with a caudal, ventral or dorsal origin of the vertebral artery. In their angiograms, vessel superimposition led us to over look 3 ostial stenoses and 10 stenoses due to kinking. Angiographic assessment of patients with VBI can be difficult. Adequate visualisation of the origin of the vertebral artery is mandatory for accurate diagnosis.     

多层螺旋CT血管造影对椎动脉观察的研究

椎动脉走行及其毗邻关系复杂，椎动脉狭窄与椎基底动脉供血不足关系密切。螺旋CT血管造影能清晰显示椎动脉及其毗邻关系。本文简要介绍椎动脉螺旋CT血管造影的技术、方法、临床价值，并与其它血管造影进行比较。     

Endovascular treatment of the vertebral artery origin in patients with symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia

Introduction We report our experience with the endovascular treatment of the vertebral artery origin in patients presenting with symptomatic vertebrobasilar ischemia and compare our results with those reported in the literature.Methods In 25 patients, 28 procedures were performed. Patients presented with posterior circulation ischemic symptoms despite optimal medical therapy with antiplatelet drugs and had a digital subtraction angiogram demonstrating stenosis of the origin of the vertebral artery greater than 50%. Retrospective review of the medical records, clinical notes and radiologic-procedural reports was performed.Results Of the 25 patients, 18 were male and 7 female. Their ages ranged from 50 to 84 years. In 23 of the 25 patients the contralateral vertebral artery was occluded, hypoplastic, absent, or had greater than 50% stenosis. In 13 of the 25 patients angiographic evidence of significant anterior circulation disease was demonstrated. In 18 of the 25 patients the left vertebral artery was affected. The mean stenosis was 82.6%. Follow-up records were available in 19 patients. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Five of the 19 patients had recurrent symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia and three patients were retreated. Of the 28 procedures performed, 23 were angioplasty/stenting and 5 were angioplasties alone. Overall technical success was achieved in 26 of the 28 procedures (92.8%). No procedure-related transient ischemic attack, stroke or death was noted.Conclusion Endovascular treatment of the vertebral artery origin in this patient population is feasible, safe, and effective. There are some questions regarding the long-term follow-up and rate of restenosis and clinical recurrences that are yet to be answered.This work was partially presented at the 8th Congress of the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology and at the 9th Joint Annual Meeting AANS/ASITN.     

Bilateral vertebral artery balloon occlusion for giant vertebrobasilar aneurysms

We describe the clinical presentation, radiological and clinical results in six consecutive patients with a giant vertebrobasilar aneurysm treated by bilateral vertebral artery balloon occlusion. Five patients presented with headache and signs of brain-stem compression and one with subarachnoid haemorrhage. In all patients vertebral artery balloon occlusion was performed. In four, this followed successful test occlusion. In one patient, who did not tolerate the test occlusion, a bypass from the external carotid to the posterior cerebral artery preceded definitive vertebral artery occlusion. One patient underwent bypass surgery prior to test occlusion. At 6–22 months follow-up three patients had a good functional outcome and showed unchanged size or shrinkage of the aneurysm on MRI. Three other patients died; one from recurrent haemorrhage, and two probably from delayed brain-stem ischaemia. The presence of two large posterior communicating arteries predicted good functional outcome, which was also related to the clinical condition at presentation, and the degree of brain-stem compression and oedema on MRI. Bilateral vertebral artery balloon occlusion can be considered in patients with otherwise untreatable giant vertebrobasilar aneurysms. If test occlusion is not tolerated, a surgical bypass to the posterior circulation can be considered. Received: 1 December 1999 Accepted: 6 October 2000     

Endovascular Treatment of Supra-Aortic Extracranial Stenoses in Patients with Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency Symptoms

Purpose Stenoses and thromboses of vessels feeding the vertebrobasilar territory can evoke serious disturbances including ischemic stroke. We present our experience of endovascular interventions for patients with signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) resulted from subclavian, vertebral and brachiocephalic arterial stenoses. Methods Twenty-one patients (10 men) aged from 35 to 84 years (mean 64.3 years) with symptoms compatible with VBI underwent balloon angioplasty and stenting of subclavian (SA), innominate (IA) and vertebral (VA) arteries. Procedures were done by radiologists experienced in systematic stenting of the lesions. VBI was manifested by persistent signs in 15 patients, and by transitory ischemic attacks in the posterior circulatory territory in 4 (19%). Two patients (10%) experienced ischemic strokes (in the vertebrobasilar circulation in both cases). In 3 patients (14%) VBI was accompanied by upper limb vascular insufficiency symptoms. All cases were resistant to medical treatment. A neurologist assessed complaints, initial VBI signs and their alteration after intervention in all patients. Outcomes were measured with the 5-point scale suggested by Malek et al. [3]: (1) excellent result (asymptomatic, no neurologic deficits and no symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia); (2) good (no neurologic deficits, at most one transient episode of vertebrobasilar ischemia over a period of 3 months after treatment); (3) fair (minimal neurologic deficit and at most one transient episode per month of vertebrobasilar ischemia); (4) poor (no improvement compared with neurologic status before treatment and/or persistent symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia); (5) death (regardless of cause). Endovascular treatment was performed for SA stenosis in 15 patients, for SA occlusion in 2, for IA stenosis in 2, and for VA stenosis in 2. There were 15 cases of atherosclerosis, 2 of aortoarteritis, 4 of proximal SA kinking. SA and IA stenoses ranged from 60% to 100% (mean 74.5%), VA stenoses were 90% in both cases. Results Initial technical success was achieved in 96% of cases. There were no postprocedural complications or deaths. During 6–36 months (mean 21.3 months) of follow-up all patients showed improvement in VBI symptoms or upper limb ischemia. Within 36 months after the procedure outcomes were estimated as excellent and good in 13 patients (76%) and poor in 2 (12%), the last being attributed to atherosclerosis progression in other vascular areas. Restenosis in the stented area has developed in 1 patient (6%). Conclusions Balloon angioplasty and stenting of extracranial vertebrobasilar arterial stenoses appeared to be effective in endovascular treatment of medically resistant VBI. Further investigations are required to clarify the role of subclavian artery kinking in VBI development and indications for various methods of its correction.     

Estimation of vertebral arterial asymmetry by computed tomography

Summary In 80 patients with no stenotic lesions in the vertebrobasilar arterial system, a study was made of the relationship between the deviation of the basilar artery (BA) from the midline on computed tomography (CT) and the right-to-left vertebral arterial caliber difference on angiograms. In 66 patients (83%), the BA was visible on plain CT films, and 55 of them showed deviation of the BA to either side. In 44 of these patients (80%), the vertebral artery (VA) contralateral to the side of BA deviation had a larger caliber compared with the ipsilateral one on angiograms. In 6 patients whose unilateral VA terminated in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and showed an extremely small caliber compared to the contralateral one, the BA was always deviated to the side of the smaller VA. Our data suggest that the deviation of the BA on plain CT films may represent a good indicator for estimating the right-to-left VA caliber difference. At the time of vertebral angiography, injection of contrast medium should preferably be made from the larger VA in order to avoid laminar flow in the BA and to shorten the procedure. Prior estimation of the right-to-left VA caliber difference by CT may be of great benefit to the angiographic procedure.     

Imaging the vertebral artery

Although conventional intraarterial digital subtraction angiography remains the gold standard method for imaging the vertebral artery, noninvasive modalities such as ultrasound, multislice computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are constantly improving and are playing an increasingly important role in diagnosing vertebral artery pathology in clinical practice. This paper reviews the current state of vertebral artery imaging from an evidence-based perspective. Normal anatomy, normal variants and a number of pathological entities such as vertebral atherosclerosis, arterial dissection, arteriovenous fistula, subclavian steal syndrome and vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia are discussed.     

Sonographic detection of haemodynamic changes in a case of vertebrobasilar insufficiency

We present a diagnostically challenging case of vertebrobasilar insufficiency caused by head rotation. The patient was a 58-year-old man complaining of dizziness and faintness with head rotation to the left. Vertebral arteriography with the head turned to the left revealed mechanical compression of the right vertebral artery at the occipitoatlantal joints and an occluded left vertebral artery. Duplex sonography demonstrated disappearance of the end-diastolic flow signal in the right vertebral artery on head rotation, paralleling the appearance of symptoms. Decompression of the vertebral artery by transversectomy of the atlas and hemilaminectomy of the axis completely relieved the symptoms and the Doppler flow signal pattern of the vertebral artery returned to normal: End-diastolic flow in the right vertebral artery did not disappear even when the head was rotated to the left. Received: 1 November 1996 Accepted: 7 March 1997     

Platinum coil treatment of complex aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar circulation

Summary Two patients with complex aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system were treated using platinum coils. During these sessions, 22 coils were placed in a basilar tip aneurysm in a 48-year-old woman. Almost total occlusion of the lumen was achieved, excepted in the area from which the right posterior cerebral artery arose. A large fusiform vertebral artery aneurysm in a 6-year-old boy was treated using 16 coils, which partially occluded the lumen at initial embolization. Follow-up angiography 2 weeks later revealed almost complete occlusion of the lumen with preservation of the vertebral artery. Our experience indicates that coil embolization of complex intracranial aneurysms is an acceptable treatment alternative to surgery or to a detachable balloon.     

Vertebral artery ostial stent placement for atherosclerotic stenosis in 72 consecutive patients: clinical outcomes and follow-up results

Introduction  The study’s purpose is to report the technical and clinical outcomes of a patient cohort that underwent vertebral artery ostium stent placement for atherosclerotic stenosis. Methods  We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively collected database of neurointerventional procedures performed at a single center from 1999 to 2005. Outcome measures included recurrent transient neurological deficits (TNDs), stroke, and death. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate stroke- and/or death-free survival at 12 months. Cox proportional hazard was used to identify risk factors for recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic events. Results  Seventy-two patients with 77 treated vertebral ostial lesions were included. The 30-day stroke and/or death rate was 5.2% (n = 4), although no event was directly related to the vertebral ostium stent placement. Three procedure-related strokes were secondary to attempted stent placement at other sites (one carotid artery and two basilar arteries), and the one death was secondary to the presenting stroke severity. The mean clinical follow-up time available for 66 patients was 9 months. There were 14 TNDs (21%), two strokes (3%), and two deaths (3%) recorded in the follow-up. Recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic events occurred in nine patients (seven TNDs and two strokes). No recurrent stroke and/or deaths were related to the treated vertebral ostium. Stroke- and/or death-free survival rate (including periprocedural stroke and/or death) was 89 ± 5% at 12 months. No vascular risk factor was significantly associated with recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic events. Conclusions  Vertebral artery ostium stent placement can be safely and effectively performed with a low rate of recurrent stroke in the territory of the treated vessel. Patients who also underwent attempted treatment of a tandem intracranial stenosis appeared to be at highest risk for periprocedure stroke.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of supra-aortic arteries especially the internal carotid artery

Summary We present our experience with 105 patients in whom percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 112 stenosed or occluded supra-aortic arteries. Symptoms of cerebrovascular and/or vertebrobasilar insufficiency were present in 104 of the 105 patients. The angioplasty was successful in 35 stenoses of the internal carotid artery, 2 stenoses of the common carotid artery, 1 stenosis of the external carotid artery, 15 stenoses of the vertebral artery, 3 stenoses of the innominate artery and 44 stenoses of the subclavian artery. There were only 4 minor-complications (2 haematomas, 1 transient ischemic attack, 1 small thrombus of the internal carotid artery which was detected by 111-indium platelet scintigraphy and treated by thrombendarterectomy before the appearance of neurological symptoms). All patients were symptom free after angioplasty. During the observations period of 3 to 109 months (average 58 months) there were only two cases with re-stenosis after subclavian angioplasty. The results of more than 700 personal and international published percutaneous transluminal angioplasties of supra-aortic arteries are presented. The results suggest that angioplasty of supra-aortic arteries is an effective method. On strict definition of the indications, the complication rate for angioplasty of the supra-aortic arteries is not likely to be higher than that for operative treatment.     

Distal Embolization After Stenting of the Vertebral Artery: Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Purpose We retrospectively evaluated our experience with stenting of the vertebral artery in an effort to determine the risk of distal embolization associated with the procedure. Methods Between June 2000 and May 2005, 35 patients with 38 stenting procedures for atherosclerotic disease of the vertebral origin in our institution were identified. The average age of the patients was 60.3 years (range 32–76 years). Sixteen of these patients (with 18 stents) had MR imaging of the brain with diffusion-weighted imaging and an apparent diffusion coefficient map within 2 days before and after procedure. Results On seven of the 16 postprocedural diffusion-weighted MR images, a total of 57 new hyperintensities were visible. All these lesions were focal in nature. One patient demonstrated a new diffusion-weighted imaging abnormality in the anterior circulation without MR evidence of posterior circulation ischemia. Six of 16 patients had a total of 25 new lesions in the vertebrobasilar circulation in postprocedural diffusion-weighted MR images. One patient in this group was excluded from the final analysis because the procedure was complicated by basilar rupture during tandem stent deployment in the basilar artery. Hence, new diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities were noted in the vertebrobasilar territory in 5 of 15 patients after 17 stenting procedures, giving a 29% rate of diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities per procedure. No patient with bilateral stenting had new diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities. Conclusion Stenting of stenoses of the vertebral artery origin may be associated with a significant risk of asymptomatic distal embolization. Angiography, placement of the guiding catheter, inflation of the stent balloon, and crossing the lesion with guidewires or balloon catheters may potentially cause distal embolization. Further studies to evaluate measures to increase the safety of vertebral artery stenting, such as the use of distal protection devices or short-term postprocedural anticoagulation, should be considered for patients with clear indications for this procedure.     

Rotational occlusion of the vertebral artery at the atlantoaxial joint: is it truly physiological?

We present a patient with vertebrobasilar insufficiency, with vertigo and horizontal nystagmus, induced by turning the head to the right. Angiography demonstrated transient occlusion of the left vertebral artery at the atlantoaxial joint during rotation of the head. The pathogenesis and angiographic findings are discussed.     

Management of Vertebral Stenosis Complicated by Presence of Acute Thrombus

A 44-year-old male presented with multiple punctate acute infarcts of the vertebrobasilar circulation and a computed tomographic angiogram showing stenosis of the right vertebral origin. A digital subtraction angiogram demonstrated a new intraluminal filling defect at the origin of the stenotic vertebral artery where antegrade flow was maintained. This filling defect was accepted to be an acute thrombus of the vertebral origin, most likely due to rupture of a vulnerable plaque. The patient was treated with intravenous heparin. A control angiogram revealed dissolution of the acute thrombus under anticoagulation and the patient was treated with stenting with distal protection. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated no additional acute ischemic lesions. We were unable to find a similar report in the English literature documenting successful management of an acute vertebral ostial thrombus with anticoagulation. Anticoagulation might be considered prior to endovascular treatment of symptomatic vertebral stenoses complicated by the presence of acute thrombus.     

Balloon-hooking technique for stabilizing a guiding catheter in tortuous supra-aortic vessel: A case report

Objective: When performing endovascular interventions for supra-aortic vessels, the tortuous vascular anatomy observed in patients with atherosclerotic lesions often limits the ability to maintain a stable guiding catheter position. Here, we report a case of right vertebral artery (VA) stenosis treated with transfemoral stenting and discuss the utility of balloon-hooking technique using partially inflated balloon for stabilizing the balloon guiding catheter (BCG) in the supra-aortic vessel. Case presentation: A 74-year-old man who underwent right carotid artery stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting, and bilateral iliac artery stenting was admitted to our emergency department because of dizziness related to head movement. Computed tomography angiography revealed right VA origin stenosis and left subclavian artery (SA) occlusion. The patient underwent stenting of the right VA. After several unsuccessful cannulation attempts into the right VA through transradial access, transfemoral access was obtained through the left iliac stent. A 9-Fr BGC was navigated into the right SA. The balloon was partially inflated just distal to the first curve of the right SA and used as hook by pulling back until the proximal edge of the balloon was pushed distally by the lesser curvature of the SA, resulting in stabilization of the BGC and successful angioplasty and stent deployment at the VA stenosis. The patient''s symptoms resolved completely, without any neurological deficits. Conclusions: Balloon-hooking technique using a partially inflated BGC is feasible for stabilizing the guiding catheter in tortuous supra-aortic vessel.     

闭合性颈椎创伤伴椎动脉损伤的临床研究

目的　研究椎动脉损伤在闭合性颈椎创伤中的发病率及其与颈椎损伤机制、类型、损伤程度的相关性 ,观察椎动脉损伤后的临床症状、体征 ,探讨早期正确诊断的方法。　方法　于2 0 0 0年 8月～ 2 0 0 2年 2月间 ,利用颈部动脉磁共振血管造影 (MRA)技术 ,连续观察 4 6例闭合性颈椎创伤患者 ,结合颈椎X线、MRI、CT检查及患者的临床症状、体征综合分析。　结果 4 6例闭合性颈椎创伤中 ,12例 (2 6 % )伴椎动脉损伤。其中 7例为双侧损伤 (4例一侧未显影、一侧狭窄 ,3例双侧狭窄 ) ,5例为单侧损伤 (均为一侧狭窄 ) ;10例椎动脉损伤患者无任何症状 ,2例出现眩晕、恶心呕吐、面部麻木、偏盲等症状。椎动脉损伤与屈曲型损伤及颈椎严重不稳定相关 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,与小关节绞锁、横突孔骨折及脊髓完全性损伤明显相关 (P <0 .0 1)。　结论　椎动脉损伤是闭合性颈椎创伤的较常见并发症 ,其临床症状体征缺乏特异性。颈椎创伤中的颈椎严重不稳定、屈曲型损伤、伴有脊髓完全性损伤、小关节绞锁和 (或 )横突孔骨折应高度怀疑椎动脉损伤。临床医师应对此类损伤有较高的警惕性 ,常规进行颈部动脉MRA检查是最有效的早期正确辅助诊断方法。     

Feasibility and Safety of Transradial Arterial Approach for Simultaneous Right and Left Vertebral Artery Angiographic Studies and Stenting

Objectives This study investigated whether the transradial artery (TRA) approach using a 6-French (F) Kimny guiding catheter for right vertebral artery (VA) angiographic study and stenting is safe and effective for patients with significant VA stenosis. Background The TRA approach is commonly performed worldwide for both diagnostic cardiac catheterization and catheter-based coronary intervention. However, to our knowledge, the safety and feasibility of left and right VA angiographic study and stenting, in the same procedure, using the TRA approach for patients with brain ischemia have not been reported. Methods The study included 24 consecutive patients (22 male,2 female; age, 63–78 years). Indications for VA angiographic study and stenting were (1) prior stroke or symptoms related to vertebrobasilar ischemia and (2) an asymptomatic but vertebral angiographic finding of severe stenosis (>70%). A combination of the ipsilateral and retrograde-engagement technique, which involved a looping 6-F Kimny guiding catheter, was utilized for VA angiographic study. For VA stenting, an ipsilateral TRA approach with either a Kimny guiding catheter or a left internal mammary artery guiding catheter was utilized in 22 patients and retrograde-engagement technique in 2 patients. Results A technically successful procedure was achieved in all patients, including left VA stenting in 15 patients and right VA stenting in 9 patients. The mean time for stenting (from engagement to stent deployment) was 12.7 min. There were no vascular complications or mortality. However, one patient suffered from a transient ischemic attack that resolved within 3 h. Conclusion We conclude that TRA access for both VA angiographic study and VA stenting is safe and effective, and provides a simple and useful clinical tool for patients unsuited for femoral arterial access.