Prospective study of the effectiveness and durability of carotid endarterectomy

In a series of 252 consecutive patients who underwent 282 carotid endarterectomies, we conducted clinical and angiographic follow-up for 2 to 6 years (mean, 3.2 years). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was done postoperatively in 95% of cases. Clinical follow-up was achieved in 97% of cases, and DSA follow-up was obtained in 66% of cases. The overall group had a 1% operative minor morbidity (three cases of minimal new neurologic deficit), no major morbidity, and a 0.7% mortality (one death from stroke and one from myocardial infarction). Complications correlated well with the patient's preoperative risk category. During follow-up, 10 minor strokes, only 1 of which was attributable to the reconstructed artery, and 10 transient ischemic attacks, 3 of which were presumably related to recurrent stenosis, occurred. Asymptomatic mild to moderate restenosis of the internal carotid or common carotid artery was identified in 10% of follow-up DSAs and severe stenosis or occlusion in 3%. Stenosis in the opposite common carotid or internal carotid artery progressed in 48 cases (26% of follow-up DSAs and ultrasound studies), and 10 of these became symptomatic. An actuarial analysis of patients who had endarterectomy indicated that the cumulative probability of ipsilateral stroke was 1.5% at 1 month and 2% at 5 years. The cumulative probability of ipsilateral stroke, transient ischemic attack, or reversible ischemic neurologic deficit was 4% at 1 month and 8% at 5 years or less than 1% per year after the first month, with censoring at the time of the second surgical procedure.     

THE CHANGING INDICATIONS FOR CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY IN THE UK

In early series the majority of carotid endarterectomies were performed in patients with amaurosis fugax (AFx) or transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) who were thought to have atheromatous ulcers of the carotid bifurcation or the internal carotid artery (ICA). The degree of stenosis was considered to be of secondary importance. We compared our own data with two British series undertaken in the early and late 80s/early 90s. This reflects the broadening of indications and the change of practice for carotid endarterectomy over the years, on the one hand towards including patients who are at greater risk of perioperative stroke (previous CVAs vs TIAs, crescendo TIAs and stroke in evolution), and on the other towards patients who have had no symptoms attributable to the carotid lesion (asymptomatic cases, combined carotid and cardiac procedures).     

Carotid endarterectomy. Controversies and recommendations

Carotid endarterectomy is a comparatively safe procedure for prevention of stroke in carefully selected patients with carotid stenosis. Generally, it is indicated in patients with hemispheric symptoms of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), but it is more controversial in patients with non-hemispheric TIA symptoms or no symptoms. Emergency endarterectomy in patients with acute TIA symptoms is considered dangerous. Results of a series of 120 endarterectomies performed at Straub Clinic, Honolulu, confirm the benefits of elective endarterectomy when a meticulous operative technique is followed and intraoperative angiography and repair of defects are done. Prophylactic endarterectomy should not be performed unless a very low incidence (less than or equal to 3%) of combined major morbidity and mortality can be achieved.     

The Natural History of Asymptomatic Extracranial Arterial Disease

The natural history of a group of 76 patients without neurologicalsymptoms, but with untreated extracranial arterial disease demonstratedby angiography 10 years ago, was studied. During this period46 patients died, and coronary artery disease was the most commoncause of death (n = 25). Six patients suffered a lethal stroke,five patients had a stroke before they died from other causesand five of the six surviving patients, who became symptomaticdeveloped TIAs, followed by a stroke in two cases, leaving onlyone who suffered a sudden stroke without premonitory warningsymptoms. Although the overall cumulative stroke rate (18 percent) was three times higher than normal, the cerebrovascularterritories affected corresponded only twice with the originalextracranial carotid lesion. Therefore, early carotid endarterectomyis inadvisable for the majority of asymptomatic patients andrepetitive non-invasive prospective study of these patientsis favoured for selection of more appropriate timing for individualtreatment.     

The natural history of asymptomatic extracranial arterial disease

The natural history of a group of 76 patients without neurological symptoms, but with untreated extracranial arterial disease demonstrated by angiography 10 years ago, was studied. During this period 46 patients died, and coronary artery disease was the most common cause of death (n = 25). Six patients suffered a lethal stroke, five patients had a stroke before they died from other causes and five of the six surviving patients, who became symptomatic developed TIAs, followed by a stroke in two cases, leaving only one who suffered a sudden stroke without premonitory warning symptoms. Although the overall cumulative stroke rate (18 per cent) was three times higher than normal, the cerebrovascular territories affected corresponded only twice with the original extracranial carotid lesion. Therefore, early carotid endarterectomy is inadvisable for the majority of asymptomatic patients and repetitive non-invasive prospective study of these patients is favoured for selection of more appropriate timing for individual treatment.     

Adverse events and death in stroke patients admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the occurrence of adverse events in stroke patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary university facility, and to disclose the categories of adverse events associated with death. METHODS: This matched case-control study enrolled 468 patients admitted with stroke to the emergency department from March 1996 to September 1999. The cases comprised 234 consecutive deaths and the controls 234 discharged patients, matched for primary diagnosis and admission period. Adverse events, detected by chart review, were classified according to the degree of severity, immediate causes, and professional category. The association with death was analysed by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Adverse events totaled 1218 and occurred in 295 patients: 932 events (76.5%) in 170 cases and 286 (23.5%) in 125 controls. Major adverse events equaled 54.1% of all events (659 episodes): 538 events in 143 cases and 121 in 65 controls. Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and nursing activities accounted for 55.2% of events. Nursing (38.4%) and medical (31%) adverse events represented the most common related professional categories. A significant association with death was found for major adverse events, medical adverse events, and nosocomial infections, with adjusted odds ratio estimates of 3.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64-8.54], 3.71 (95% CI 1.61-8.53), and 3.22 (95% CI 1.21-8.59), respectively. CONCLUSION: Adverse events, mostly severe, predominated among deceased patients, resulting mainly from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and nursing activities. In spite of limitations concerning the observational retrospective nature of this study, we found that severe adverse events, medical adverse events, and nosocomial infections were significantly associated with death in stroke patients.     

Carotid surgery

It is always gratifying to learn of relatively sophisticated procedures being done successfully in community hospitals. Dr Swenson here describes results of 210 carotid endarterectomies performed in his institution over a period of 12 years. As he reminds us, since many of the patients with a significant carotid lesion are in danger of a debilitating stroke, patients should have easy access to safe and effective preventive surgical treatment     

症状性脑动脉狭窄未行支架植入患者多类药物一体化治疗的研究

目的探讨症状性脑动脉狭窄未行支架植入患者多类药物一体化治疗方案的效果、终点事件及安全性。方法初发的症状性脑动脉狭窄患者1 126例,随机分为治疗组787例,对照组339例。治疗组给予个体化分层血压调治技术,联合抗血小板及分层下调治血糖、血脂、纤维蛋白原的多类药物小剂量一体化协同治疗。对照组给予降压、单纯阿司匹林抗血小板、降糖、降脂、降纤的治疗方案。比较两组治疗后3年和5年健康功能水平、责任颈动脉狭窄区斑块内部回声特征、终点事件、不良反应、依从性情况。结果治疗组3年和5年脑梗死发生和复发、心脏事件、出血性表现、低血糖的发生率均明显低于对照组6.0%vs 13.3%、9.5%vs 19.2%、5.8%vs 12.4%、1.9%vs 6.2%、2.3%vs 7.1%（P〈0.01）。治疗组3年和5年健康功能水平均高于对照组（P〈0.05）;超声复查斑块均较对照组稳定（P〈0.05）;治疗后5年病死率低于对照组4.2%vs 7.4%（P〈0.05）。两组头痛发生率差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。对照组退出率高于治疗组13.6%vs 5.3%（P〈0.01）。结论症状性脑动脉狭窄未行支架植入患者多类药物一体化治疗方案显著降低了脑梗死发生和复发、心脏事件、出血性表现和低血糖的不良反应,极大提高了功能健康水平,效果显著,使用安全,患者依从性好。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对行择期经皮冠状动脉介入治疗患者院内预后的预测作用

  目的  探讨血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ水平对行择期经皮冠状动脉介入治疗患者院内预后的预测作用。  方法  连续纳入2012年7月至2013年7月在北京协和医院心内科住院行择期经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的患者645例, 测定其血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ水平并记录其发生院内主要心血管不良事件情况。院内主要心血管不良事件定义:全因死亡、非致死性心肌梗死、新发非致死性卒中(缺血性及出血性)、非计划再次血管重建。分析血管紧张素Ⅱ水平与院内心血管不良事件的相关性。  结果  645例患者中共有68例(10.54%)发生院内心血管不良事件, 发生院内心血管不良事件者血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ水平显著高于未发生院内心血管不良事件者[41.42(28.73, 57.07)ng/L比35.66(22.84, 48.22)ng/L, P=0.009]。多因素Logistic回归分析显示血管紧张素Ⅱ为院内心血管不良事件的独立危险因素(比值比1.018, 95% CI:1.004~1.032, P=0.012)。  结论  血浆血管张素Ⅱ水平与择期经皮冠状动脉介入治疗患者的院内不良预后相关, 具有重要的预测价值。     

≥75岁急诊心房颤动患者的预后分析——中国急诊心房颤动研究的亚组分析

目的:了解老年（年龄≥75岁）急诊心房颤动（房颤）患者的预后情况,分析不良预后的危险因素。方法:2009年至2011年在全国20家医院连续入选急诊就诊、年龄≥75岁房颤患者为本研究对象,收集患者基线资料和治疗情况,并进行1年随访,主要终点事件为全因死亡,次要终点事件为心血管死亡、卒中、大出血事件及主要不良事件。应用单因素和多因素Cox回归模型分析上述事件的独立危险因素。结果:共入选766例老年急诊房颤患者,年龄(80.76±4.66)岁,女性占56.9%。1年的全因病死率为24.3%,心血管病死率为12.8%,卒中发生率为10.6%,主要不良事件发生率33.6%,再入院率32%。多因素Cox回归模型分析显示年龄（ HR1.073,95% CI 1.042~1.105）、心率（ HR 1.008,95% CI 1.002~1.013）、痴呆/认知障碍史（ HR 1.849,95% CI 1.016~3.365）、既往慢性阻塞性肺疾病史（ HR 1.824,95% CI 1.303~2.551）为老年房颤患者1年死亡的独立危险因素。女性（ HR 1.664,95% CI 1.036~2.675）、高血压病史（ HR 2.035,95% CI 1.080~3.836）、痴呆/认知障碍史（ HR 2.773,95% CI 1.220~6.302）、为老年房颤患者1年卒中的独立危险因素。 结论:老年急诊房颤患者的预后较差,年龄、心率、痴呆/认知障碍史、慢性阻塞性肺疾病史是老年急诊房颤患者1年全因死亡和主要不良事件的独立危险因素;女性、高血压病史、痴呆/认知障碍史为老年急诊房颤患者1年卒中的独立危险因素。     

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in ischemic stroke

We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy at our institution during the period from January 1970 through December 1986 to determine the frequency of postoperative occlusions and the role of heparin-induced thrombosis in patients with such occlusions. After 2,527 carotid endarterectomies, a total of 19 occlusions occurred in 18 patients. Of these 18 patients, 6 had an associated heparin-induced coagulation disorder, 3 of whom are described in detail. Although heparin is a useful anticoagulant, it may precipitate occlusion of vessels after an endarterectomy procedure, either at the endarterectomy site or elsewhere. Physicians should be aware of the potentially increased risk for embolic or thrombotic cerebrovascular events in patients who receive heparin therapy.     

超选择动脉溶栓及经皮腔内血管成型术治疗脑梗死

目的 评价超选择动脉溶栓及经皮腔内血管成形术（PTA）治疗急性治脑梗死的临床疗效。方法 对30例急性脑梗死病人,经股动脉或颈动脉插管,用微导丝将微导管送至血管闭塞部位,注入尿激酶（UK）行溶栓治疗,对6例颅外段血管狭窄者,采用PTA消除,并注入罂粟碱扩张颅内血管。结果 颈内动脉闭塞10例、大脑中动脉16例、椎基动脉系统4例,血管完全再通15例,部分再通12例,治疗3月后日常生活能力指数（BI）评分：100分20例,75-95分6例,占86.7%。结论：早期超选择动脉溶栓配合PTA和罂粟碱可明显提高闭塞血管再通率,是目前治疗急性脑梗死有效的方法。     

支架植入与内膜剥脱治疗颈动脉狭窄的疗效与安全性评价

背景：大型随机试验已证明颈动脉内膜剥脱或支架植入治疗有症状和无症状颅外颈动脉狭窄是有效的。目的：用Meta分析方法评价颈动脉支架植入和颈动脉内膜剥脱治疗颈动脉狭窄的疗效及安全性。方法：计算机检索国内外数据库中关于颈动脉支架植入和颈动脉内膜剥脱治疗颈动脉狭窄的相关随机对照试验,按照纳入排除标准进行文献筛选和质量评价后,采用Cochrane协作网提供RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析。结果与结论：共纳入14个研究7 693例患者,其中支架植入组3 835例,颈动脉内膜剥脱组3 858例。支架植入组术后30 d脑卒中事件发生率、术后30 d死亡与脑卒中事件发生率、术后1年心肌梗死事件发生率及术后30 d非致残性脑卒中事件发生率高于颈动脉内膜剥脱组（P≤0.000 1）,术后30 d心肌梗死事件发生率低于颈动脉内膜剥脱组（P=0.001 0）。两组术后30 d死亡事件发生率及致残性脑卒中事件发生率差异无显著性意义。两种治疗模式是互补而不是对立的,应该综合分析每例患者的病情,对治疗方案进行优化选择。     

植入心脏起搏器患者死亡原因分析

目的分析永久心脏起搏器植入患者的远期死亡原因及相关因素。方法对我院植入永久心脏起搏器401例的手术及随访资料进行回顾性研究。结果死亡91例,病死率22.7%;死亡原因前3位依次为心力衰竭30例(7.5%)、脑卒中17例(4.2%)和心源性猝死16例(4.0%);对死亡原因进行分析,心脏扩大和单腔心室(VVI)起搏方式与心力衰竭和心源性猝死死亡原因有关。此外,心力衰竭死亡的相关因素还有累计心室起搏百分比(Cum%VP)>40%以及术前存在房室传导阻滞(AVB)(P<0.05);与心源性猝死相关的因素还有冠心病史和术前发生过室性心动过速(VT)或心室颤动(VF)(P<0.05);而脑卒中死亡则与术前脑血管病史和心房纤颤(AF)有关(P<0.05);各死亡组在年龄、性别的分布上均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论植入永久心脏起搏器患者的远期死亡原因的前3位依次是心力衰竭、脑卒中和心源性猝死,并分别与VVI起搏方式、Cum%VP、术前存在心脏扩大、AVB、VT、VF、AF以及冠心病和脑血管病等因素有直接关系。     

Learning curve for carotid endarterectomy

It is generally accepted that training and experience are necessary to obtain acceptably low perioperative mortality and permanent neurologic morbidity for carotid endarterectomy. To test this hypothesis I analyzed the results of 600 consecutive primary carotid endarterectomies that I performed over a 13-year period beginning with my senior residency. The overall hospital mortality was 9/600 (1.5%), the permanent neurologic morbidity 11/600 (1.8%), and the combined mortality and permanent neurologic morbidity 20/600 (3.3%). The mortality for the first 300 operations was 6/300 (2%) (4/6 from stroke) and for the last 300, 3/300 (1%) (3/3 cardiac). All 11 nonfatal strokes occurred in the first 300 operations. Morbidity and mortality decreased with both cumulative experience and the number of operations done per year. While it is difficult to separate the effect of these two factors, the results suggest that both may be important in obtaining a combined perioperative mortality and permanent neurologic deficit below 3%.     

Long-term mortality and stroke morbidity after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass operation

Among 239 patients with transient ischemic attacks, mild stroke, or transient monocular visual symptoms who had superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass, no deaths occurred during the operation or within 30 days thereafter. After the first month, mortality on an actuarial basis was 3% per year. Survival at 5 years was 84% in comparison with an expected survival of 89% for persons of comparable age and sex in a general population. Among the 25 deaths that occurred during follow-up, 2 were due to stroke and 16 to cardiac causes. Of 28 strokes that occurred, 5 occurred during operation or that same day, and 3 others occurred within 30 days postoperatively. Thereafter, strokes occurred at the rate of 2.5% per year on an actuarial basis; a third of the strokes occurred contralateral to the surgical site. No difference was found in survival or in survival free of stroke among patients who had proven carotid artery occlusion (N = 157), carotid siphon stenosis (N = 53), or MCA stenosis or occlusion (N = 29). In regard to the probability of stroke, this group of patients compares favorably with population studies of patients with transient ischemic attacks of undetermined cause. When this surgical group was compared with 130 nonsurgical patients who had had ischemic symptoms related to proven internal carotid artery occlusion between 1965 and 1975, however, we could not conclude that the risk of occurrence of stroke was less in patients who had STA-MCA bypass than in the nonsurgical patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Complications of carotid artery stenting are largely preventable: a retrospective error analysis

Procedure-related complications with carotid artery stenting must be minimized for it to be a valid treatment for carotid stenosis. Failure analysis was done for 207 carotid stent procedures. All complications were reviewed and technical errors were identified. The procedure-related stroke rate was 2.9%, technical failure rate was 1.9%, and no patients died. Two strokes resulted from protocol deviations. A third stroke occurred while crossing a long, irregular lesion with a protection device instead of establishing flow reversal. Excessive instrumentation of the aortic arch resulted in 2 strokes. Distal embolization occurred after open-cell stenting a friable lesion in 1 patient. The majority of neurologic events and technical complications that occur during carotid stenting are preventable. By adhering to technical protocols, avoiding excessive instrumentation in the aortic arch, using flow reversal in selected lesions, and matching the appropriate anatomy and stent, results of carotid artery stenting can be exceptional.     

苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平片联合叶酸片治疗H型高血压疗效观察

目的探讨苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平片联合叶酸片治疗H型高血压的疗效,评估长效钙离子拮抗剂类降压药联合叶酸片对H型高血压治疗及脑卒中预防的效果。方法选择符合标准的240例Ⅰ级、Ⅱ级原发性H型高血压患者,随机分为苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合叶酸组120例和马来酸依那普利叶酸组120例。在入组前测量所有患者的血压、血糖、血脂、血清同型半胱氨酸水平、以及颈动脉内中膜厚度及斑块积分,在干预3个月后复查两组患者的血压以及血清同型半胱氨酸水平;干预1年后复查颈动脉内中膜厚度及斑块积分;1年内随时记录患者的脑血管病事件的发生等指标。结果干预3个月后苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合叶酸组与马来酸依那普利叶酸组降压和降血清同型半胱氨酸作用明显,与干预前比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合叶酸组同时降压降血清同型半胱氨酸的有效率为83.3%(100/120),马来酸依那普利叶酸组为75.0%(90/120),两组间比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.526,P=0.112)。1年后复查颈动脉超声显示两组在颈动脉内中膜厚度和斑块积分上都较前明显改善,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);但两组之间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。随访1年内苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合叶酸组发生脑血管疾病7例,发生率为6.5%(7/108);马来酸依那普利叶酸组发生脑血管病5例,发生率是5.0%(5/100)。两组间比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.21,P=0.65)。结论苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平片联合叶酸片在治疗Ⅰ级、Ⅱ级H型高血压患者在同时降压降同型半胱氨酸方面效果显著,能够明显改善颈动脉内中膜厚度,缓解动脉粥样硬化速度,有效减少脑血管事件的发生,对H型高血压患者的疗效与马来酸依那普利叶酸片相当。     

负荷超声心动图联合心肌声学造影评估缺血性心脏病患者临床预后的价值

目的探讨负荷超声心动图联合心肌声学造影评估疑诊或确诊冠心病患者发生不良心血管事件的价值。 方法回顾性连续纳入南方医科大学南方医院心内科2014年2月至2020年9月进行负荷超声心动图联合心肌声学造影的疑诊或确诊冠心病患者共361例。根据负荷超声心动图结果将患者分为正常组（260例）和异常组（101例）。随访不良心血管终点事件（主要终点事件包括全因性死亡、心血管死亡和非致死性心肌梗死,次要终点事件包括心绞痛住院、血运重建）,比较负荷超声异常组与负荷超声正常组不良事件发生率;应用Cox回归分析及KM生存曲线分析终点事件发生的预测因素及2年、5年无主要心血管不良事件生存率。 结果361例患者完成随访,平均随访时间（41.05±22.50）个月。7例患者出现主要终点事件,39例患者发生心绞痛住院事件,55例患者进行了血运重建。其中,负荷超声正常组2例发生主要终点事件,36例发生次要终点事件,负荷超声异常组5例发生主要终点事件,41例发生次要终点事件,负荷超声异常组与正常组不良事件发生率差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。Cox比例风险模型多因素分析结果显示,负荷超声心动图结果（HR=0.354,95%CI：0.221~0.569,P＜0.001）是终点事件的预测因素之一。KM生存曲线分析提示负荷超声正常组2年、5年无主要心血管不良事件生存率分别为96.2%、84.9%,而负荷超声异常组2年、5年无主要心血管不良事件生存率分别为93.8%、66.2%,2组患者的生存率曲线差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。 结论负荷超声心动图检查在诊断冠状动脉疾病、风险分层和血运重建指导方面发挥着重要作用,可作为冠心病或疑诊冠心病患者预后评估的重要手段。     

Extracranial carotid vascular disease: detection by real time B-mode ultrasonography

Real time B-mode ultrasonography is a currently popular technique used to screen patients with suspected carotid vascular disease and identify those who need cerebral angiography. From September 1981 through February 1983, 1,205 patients had carotid ultrasonography in the Vascular Laboratory at Erlanger Medical Center. Retrospective review of these patients identified 260 who also had cerebral angiography. In these 260 patients, 517 arteries were studied with ultrasound and then compared to angiographic results, using the angiograms as control. In this study, there was a technical success rate of 89% for all ultrasonic procedures done. With positive disease considered as stenosis of more than 40%, the overall accuracy was 79%, sensitivity was 81%, and specificity was 77%. The false-positive rate was 14% and the false-negative rate 7%. Carotid ultrasonography accurately detected total vessel occlusion in 91% of such cases. Ultrasonic studies were not consistently accurate in the detection of ulcerative plaques where compared to angiographic results.