Can carotid duplex scanning supplant arteriography in patients with focal carotid territory symptoms?

Previous reports have suggested that duplex ultrasonography might supplant arteriography as a guide to operative decision making in selected patients with cerebrovascular disease. This study was undertaken to test that tenet in patients with focal carotid territory symptoms. Seventy-two patients having independently interpreted arch and selective carotid arteriography and duplex scanning underwent 78 carotid endarterectomies. Operative specimens were analyzed in all cases and used as the standard in evaluating the accuracy of the preoperative studies. All patients had disease found at the time of operation. The sensitivity of duplex scanning was 99% vs. 91% for arteriography (p = 0.06). In seven cases the scan accurately predicted disease in patients with normal arteriograms and in a single case the scan was read as normal in a patient with a smooth minimally stenotic plaque read as an irregular 30% stenosis on arteriography. The accuracy of duplex scanning was markedly superior to arteriography in detecting intimal surface abnormalities (92% vs. 64%, p less than 0.001) and ulceration (90% vs. 54%, p less than 0.001). There was no difference between duplex scan and arteriography (p = 1.0) in predicting a greater or less than 50% stenosis (accuracy, 94% for arteriogram; 92% for duplex scanning). Of the patients with preoperative potentially reversible symptoms, 97% were free of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 9 months after operation. Eighty-nine percent (17 of 19 patients) of patients with concomitant, ipsilateral, intracranial, or intrathoracic cerebrovascular disease were free of symptoms after carotid endarterectomy.     

Die operative Rekonstruktion der hochgradigen Karotisstenose: ein sicheres Verfahren? Ergebnisse aus 2.162 Eingriffen

Carotid surgery is still controversial. Some large randomized trials have demonstrated the benefit of surgery in correlation to conservative treatment alone, but these positive results depend on how specific the diagnosis is and a low complication rate. This study presents the results of 2162 patients (male n = 1596 (74%), female n = 566 (26%), mean age 65 +/- 9 years), who underwent carotid surgery between 1990 and 1999. Forth-three percent of these patients had no ipsilateral neurological symptoms with high-grade carotid artery stenosis (Stage I). Thirty-eight percent appeared with prior ipsilateral TIA or PRIND--symptomatology (Stage II) and 19% suffered from stroke with persisting deficits (Stage IV). The operative technique of choice was thromboendarterectomy of the carotid bifurcation with vein-patch closure in 1967 patients (91%). In 1324 patients segmental resection of the internal carotid artery was performed. Carotid endarterectomies and other reconstructions for coronary artery disease including abdominal aortic aneurysm were combined during the same operation in 11% of the patients. The rate of postoperative ipsilateral neurological events was 4.1%. On the ontralateral side neurological symptoms appeared among 0.8%, and 0.4% of the patients had bilateral symptoms. Twenty patients (0.9%) died as a result of postoperative stroke. In relation to preoperative staging of the cerebrovascular occlusive disease in stage I, postoperative neurological symptoms appeared in 2.8% (mortality 0.6%), stage II in 5.7% (mortality 1.0%) and stage IV in 7.8% (mortality 1.2%) of the patients. These results confirm the importance of carotid reconstruction as a measure in the prevention of cerebral infarction in patients with asymptomatic or symptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis. The complication rate was lower than the data reported in the literature and the results were clearly better than under conservative treatment alone. In our opinion, the indication for carotid artery reconstruction should be made by a team of vascular surgeons, neurologists and neuroradiologists taking all patient-specific factors into consideration. Only by optimal patient selection and minimal complication rates will a significant benefit for the patient be achieved.     

Carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid artery disease demonstrated by duplex ultrasound with minimal arteriographic findings

Ulcerated or irregular heterogeneous carotid plaque as seen by duplex ultrasound can cause hemispheric transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and/or a cerebrovascular accident, even if only associated with nonsignificant carotid stenosis on arteriography. The purpose of this study was to review our experience in patients who underwent a carotid endarterectomy after medical treatment had failed, based on pathologic findings detected by carotid duplex ultrasound with minimal disease on arteriography. The medical records of 14 patients who underwent cartoid endarterectomy for TIA symptoms related to ulcerated or irregular heterogeneous plaques were analyzed. All had had preoperative carotid duplex ultrasound, arteriography, and cardiac and neurologic workups to rule out other causes for their TIAs. Medical treatment had failed in all of them. There were 10 men and four women whose median age was 68 years. Carotid duplex ultrasound showed irregular heterogeneous carotid plaque in all patients associated with 20% to 50% stenosis in 12 and approximately 50% to 60% stenosis in two. All had normal to <20% stenosis on arteriograms. The duplex ultrasound findings were all confirmed at operation. All had an uneventful postoperative course with relief of symptoms. Carotid duplex ultrasound is superior to carotid arteriography in detecting irregular or ulcerative heterogeneous plaque associated with nonsignificant stenosis. Carotid duplex ultrasound can be used to determine the desirability of carotid endarterectomy after failed medical treatment in patients with classical and persistent TIA symptoms despite normal or minimal disease on arteriograms. A successful endarterectomy appears to predict an asymptomatic postoperative course.     

Magnetic resonance angiography minimizes need for arteriography after inadequate carotid duplex ultrasound scanning

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated whether magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) enabled definition of cerebrovascular anatomy after indeterminate or inadequate results at duplex ultrasound scanning to facilitate patient selection for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and for technical planning. METHODS: After implementation of a protocol in October 1998 to minimize use of cerebral arteriography, MRA (arch/cervical two-dimensional and cranial three-dimensional time of flight technique) was performed in 138 consecutive patients with cerebrovascular occlusive disease and inconclusive duplex scans obtained by an ICAVL-approved laboratory. The ability of MRA to define anatomic features unresolved at duplex scanning was compared between categories of duplex scan inadequacies. Operative outcome was compared between patients requiring MRA before CEA (n = 66) and a concurrent cohort undergoing CEA on the basis of duplex scan results only (n = 69). RESULTS: Incomplete imaging of the carotid bifurcation, because of high bifurcation, long (>3 cm) internal carotid artery (ICA) plaque, or calcific shadows, was the most common reason for inadequate duplex scans (n = 74, 53%), followed by borderline severe ICA disease (23.17%), suspected extracervical disease (supra-aortic trunk, vertebral, or intracranial, 22, 16%), ICA near- occlusion (12.9%), and diffuse recurrent stenosis (7.5%). MRA enabled resolution of duplex scan inadequacies in 95% of patients with disease confined to the carotid bifurcation, and 90% of all patients, but was least accurate for delineation of extracervical lesions (77%) and near-occlusions (75%). In 5 of 8 patients (6%) arteriography was performed to determine operability of ICA near-occlusion or extracervical lesions. Combined stroke and death rates after CEA were not statistically different (P =.3) between patients requiring MRA (3 of 66, 4.6%) and the concurrent group in whom MRA was performed solely on the basis of duplex results (1 of 69, 1.5%). However, intraoperative technical adjustments (anatomy that precluded shunt use, extended endarterectomy length, ICA shortening due to tortuosity) were planned in 71% of patients (12 of 17) with MRA-defined anatomy, but only 36% of patients (4 of 11) with long CEA on the basis of duplex results only (P =.08). CONCLUSION: MRA replaces the need for cerebral arteriography in most patients after inadequate carotid duplex scanning. Delineation of cerebrovascular anatomy at MRA assists in determination of CEA candidacy and operative planning.     

The significance of cerebral infarction and atrophy in patients with amaurosis fugax and transient ischemic attacks in relation to internal carotid artery stenosis: a preliminary report

There is a growing appreciation for the high incidence of silent cerebral infarction and cerebral atrophy on CT scans in patients with amaurosis fugax (AF) and hemispheric transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Seventy patients with AF only (no TIAs), 104 patients with hemispheric TIAs (no AF), 185 patients without focal carotid territory symptoms (i.e., vertebrobasilar TIAs or asymptomatic carotid bruit only), and 129 patients with stroke and good recovery were studied with CT scan and duplex scanning to grade the degree of stenosis of the internal carotid artery (grades: A = normal, B = 0% to 15% stenosis, C = 16% to 49%, D = 50% to 99%, and E = occlusion). In patients with AF, the incidence of infarction increased from 20% in grades A, B, and C to 40% in grade D and 58% in grade E. The incidence of atrophy increased in parallel from 10% in grade A to 30% in grade E. The increased incidence of atrophy with increasing degrees of stenosis was not the result of increasing degrees of stenosis per se, but the associated increase in the incidence of infarction (patients without CT infarcts in grades D and E had 5% and 0% incidence of atrophy). In patients with hemispheric TIAs, the incidence of CT infarction increased from 25% in grades A and B to 48% in grades D and E. The incidence of atrophy did not show a parallel increase. Our findings support the hypothesis that atrophy is associated not only with cerebral infarction but may be causally related.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The association of central retinal artery occlusion and extracranial carotid artery disease.

To determine the incidence of associated carotid artery disease and the effect of carotid endarterectomy on subsequent neurologic sequelae, a retrospective study of 66 patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) was undertaken. Ipsilateral extracranial carotid artery disease was present in 23 of 33 patients (70%) who had carotid arteriography. Sixteen patients had carotid endarterectomy following their CRAO (Group I) and 50 did not (Group II). Seven of the 40 patients available for follow-up in Group II had a subsequent stroke (mean follow-up: 54 months). Of the seven Group II patients shown to have associated carotid disease (Group IIs), three (43%) had a subsequent stroke during follow-up (mean: 28.3 months) compared to zero in Group I (p = 0.033; mean follow-up: 18.7 months). Because of the strong association between CRAO and ipsilateral carotid artery disease and because of the significantly higher incidence of subsequent ipsilateral stroke in CRAO patients with carotid disease who did not undergo endarterectomy, thorough evaluation of the carotid arteries followed by carotid endarterectomy, if indicated, is warranted in CRAO patients who have no other obvious etiology for the occlusion.     

Surgical therapy for the patient with internal carotid artery occlusion and contralateral stenosis

With demonstration of the failure of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass to reduce the incidence of stroke in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, controversy continues regarding the best method of stroke prevention in these high-risk persons. One approach, endarterectomy of stenotic lesions of the contralateral carotid bifurcation, has been used for 145 patients with ICA occlusion during the past 25 years. Presenting symptoms included focal transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in 62 patients, stroke (CVA) in 57, and nonfocal TIAs in 16. Ten patients were asymptomatic. Nine patients (6.2%) sustained perioperative strokes, only three of which were ipsilateral to the endarterectomy. There were three perioperative deaths (2.1%). During the follow-up period (mean 4 years) there were 13 new strokes (9.2%), four of which were fatal. These late results compare favorably with patients from the cooperative study of EC-IC bypass with occlusion of one ICA, whether they received surgical treatment or were managed nonoperatively. With the exception of select situations where an occluded ICA may be reopened, we conclude that the best current therapy for these patients is close observation of the nonoccluded ICA and endarterectomy once a stenotic lesion is encountered.     

Retinal artery pressure and cerebral artery perfusion pressure in cerebrovascular occlusive disease

The objectives of the investigation were to measure the retinal artery pressure (RAP) and cortical artery pressure (CAP) in patients undergoing superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass, to study the relationship between these pressures, and to evaluate our ability to predict CAP on the basis of RAP. The 44 patients undergoing bypass surgery included 26 with ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (Group I), 5 with bilateral ICA occlusion (Group II), 4 with inaccessible ICA stenosis proximal to the ophthalmic artery (OA) (Group III), 2 with ICA stenosis distal to the OA (Group IV), 3 with ICA occlusion distal to the OA (Group V), 2 with MCA stenosis (Group VI), and 2 with MCA occlusion (Group VII). Five patients undergoing craniotomy for an asymptomatic saccular aneurysm were used as controls. Mean RAP (MRAP) was measured by ophthalmodynamometry (ODM) and was expressed as a ratio of the mean systemic arterial blood pressure (i.e., MRAP/MSAP). The mean MRAP/MSAP for combined Groups I, II, and III with ICA occlusion proximal to the OA was significantly lower than both the control group (P = 0.0001) and the combined Groups IV, V, VI, and VII with occlusive lesions distal to the OA (P = 0.0001). Six patients in Groups I and II with venous stasis retinopathy had a mean MRAP/MSAP of 0.18 +/- 0.11. Mean cortical artery pressure (MCAP) was measured by inserting a 26 gauge needle into a small cortical artery and was expressed as the MCAP/MSAP ratio. Mean MCAP/MSAP was less than 0.50 for all groups except Group III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The role of external carotid revascularization in the treatment of ocular ischemia

During the past 13 years, 16 patients with visual disturbances, ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, and external carotid artery (ECA) stenosis have had ECA reconstruction. Indications for operation included amaurosis fugax (AF) in five patients, AF and transient ischemic attacks in four patients, ischemic optic neuropathy in two patients, retinal artery occlusion in one patient, and blurry vision and scotomata in four patients. In 12 cases (75%), there were hemodynamically significant contralateral ICA lesions, including four contralateral ICA occlusions. EC endarterectomies were performed in 15 patients, whereas one patient was treated with a bypass graft. One transient neurologic event occurred in the perioperative period (6%). There were no deaths nor permanent neurologic deficits. Patients were followed up for periods of 1 to 60 months (mean 18.4 months). Two patients had AF postoperatively; in one instance, AF was associated with ECA thrombosis 53 months after operation. One patient had a transient ischemic attack when the ECA thrombosed 24 months after operation. This study demonstrates that visual symptoms can occur despite ipsilateral ICA occlusion. ECA revascularization is effective and can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality.     

Surgical treatment of internal carotid artery occlusion

PURPOSE: Nonoperative treatment of recent internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is associated with increased recurrent stroke rates. We analyzed our results of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for treatment of symptomatic recent ICA occlusion to evaluate its feasibility, safety, and outcomes. METHODS: From 1990 to 2002, all patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), amaurosis fugax, and minor stroke underwent duplex ultrasound (US) scanning and arteriography to confirm the diagnosis of ICA occlusion. Within 2 weeks of symptom onset, patients underwent operative exploration with attempted CEA. ICA occlusion was detected at preoperative angiography and confirmed at surgery. Patients with extensive ICA plaque not amenable to endarterectomy underwent external CEA with ICA ligation. RESULTS: Over 12 years, 87 patients with symptomatic ICA occlusion underwent 90 operations for ICA exploration. In 30 patients (18 men, 12 women) with TIA (45%), amaurosis fugax (19%), or minor stroke (36%), CEA to treat ICA occlusion was technically successful. There was 1 postoperative stroke, 2 asymptomatic internal carotid occlusions, and no restenoses (mean follow-up, 26 months; range, 1-93 months). In 57 patients (37 men, 20 women) with TIA (41%), amaurosis fugax (27%), or stroke (32%) in whom CEA was unsuccessful, external CEA was performed. In this group there were no postoperative strokes, 2 asymptomatic external carotid artery occlusions, and 1 restenosis (>70%) (mean follow-up, 22 months; range, 1-73 months). There were no late strokes in either group. CONCLUSION: Operative exploration and endarterectomy to treat symptomatic ICA occlusion is feasible and safe. Patients with symptomatic ICA occlusion should be considered candidates for CEA.     

External carotid endarterectomy: indications, technique, and late results

In the past 14 years, 22 patients (25 operated sides), with occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), underwent ipsilateral external carotid artery (ECA) endarterectomy at our institution. Operative indications were amaurosis fugax in 13 sides and nonlateralizing transient ischemic attacks in the remaining 12. There were no operative deaths. One patient suffered a minor stroke after operation. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 110 months (median 36 months). In 16 cases, simple endarterectomy with or without vein patch closure was performed (type I). In two cases the ostium of the ICA was occluded with interrupted sutures after endarterectomy (type II). In the remaining seven cases the ICA was transposed as a patch over the endarterectomized ECA after endarterectomy (type III). All but six patients (six sides) underwent duplex scanning or angiography during follow-up. Four of nine patients with previous nonlateralizing symptoms had persistent symptoms after operation, whereas none of those with previous amaurosis fugax did. Recurrent occlusive disease was more common in type I reconstructions (p less than 0.05). Proper ECA reconstruction results in long-term patency. In the patient with ipsilateral ICA occlusion, transposition of the ICA as a patch over the endarterectomized ECA offers a valid hemodynamic solution. Objective parameters are needed to identify patients with nonlateralizing symptoms who will benefit from operation.     

Routine early postoperative duplex scanning is unnecessary following uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy

Although early postoperative duplex scanning has become routine after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), it is unclear whether the results of these scans alter clinical management. The purpose of this study was to critically examine the usefulness of early postoperative duplex scans in evaluating the ipsilateral carotid artery (for technical perfection) as well as the contralateral carotid artery (for potential velocity changes after improvements in ipsilateral flow). Consecutive patients undergoing CEA between January 1995 and June 1999 in a tertiary hospital setting were studied. Patients underwent early postoperative duplex scanning according to the discretion of the operating surgeon and the availability of the patient. In 212 patients 236 CEAs were performed with selective use of patch closure (49%), intraluminal shunting (19%), and intraoperative completion imaging studies (14%). Neurologic complications included 3 transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) (1.3%), 3 nondisabling strokes (1.3%), and 3 disabling strokes (1.3%). There was 1 30-day death from myocardial infarction. Patients were followed up for a median of 18 months (range 0-72 months). Sixty-five percent of patients undergoing uncomplicated CEA (147/227) underwent early duplex surveillance within 6 months of operation. Unsuspected sonographic abnormalities were discovered in 8 patients (5%), including 7 cases of mild internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (>50% by velocity criteria) and 1 case of common carotid artery (CCA) stenosis (intimal flap). None of the patients with ICA stenosis developed symptoms or required operation at any time. The CCA intimal flap was electively repaired without complication. Postoperative changes in velocity in the contralateral ICA were found in 8/48 (17%) cases. There were 3 cases of increased velocity, upgrading 1 from 0-49% to 50-79% stenosis and upgrading 2 from 50-79% to 80-99% stenosis. The latter patients both underwent uneventful contralateral CEA. There were 6 cases of decreased velocity, resulting in downgrading of stenoses from 50-79% to 0-49% (n=5) or from 80-99% to 50-79% (n=1). Only the latter patient underwent contralateral CEA; the remainder have been followed up without intervention. Early scanning appeared to offer no clinical benefit; survival and neurologic outcome were the same in the 135 patients scanned within the first 6 months as in the 68 patients whose first postoperative scan occurred later (4-year neurologic event rate 0% in both groups; patient survival with early duplex 98 +/- 1.5%, without early duplex 96 +/- 2.6%; = NS). Early ipsilateral duplex abnormalities following CEA are infrequent in asymptomatic patients and, even if found, rarely alter management. Patients with bilateral stenosis being considered for contralateral CEA should undergo repeat duplex scanning after the first operation, because of the significant rate (19%) of contralateral velocity changes induced by ipsilateral CEA.     

The influence of contralateral disease on the natural history of nonoperated significant carotid stenosis

The influence of contralateral disease on the natural history of ipsilateral nonoperated carotid stenosis >50% was analyzed in 90 carotid arteries imaged by contrast arteriography or duplex scanning with a mean follow-up of 23.6 months. Ipsilateral stenosis was >80% in 24 arteries and 50–79% in 66 arteries. Contralateral disease was present in 30 (Group I) and absent in 60 (Group II) patients. In Group I, the contralateral disease consisted of total occlusion in nine (30%), >80% stenosis in five (17%), 50–79% stenosis in 12 (40%) with a mean of 78.6%. No significant difference existed in the incidence of initially asymptomatic vessels (57% versus 67%), stroke (13% versus 2%), or transient ischemic attack (17% each) between Groups I and II on the ipsilateral side (p > .05). New ipsilateral neurologic events occurred significantly more often in arteries with >80% ipsilateral stenosis than those with 50–79% stenosis (p < .02). The incidence of subsequent ipsilateral neurologic events (37% versus 22%), strokes, or transient ischemic attacks (20% versus 13%) was no different in Groups I and II, respectively (p > .05). Combined ipsilateral and contralateral neurologic events occurred significantly more often in patients with contralateral disease (p < .05). Whereas in Group I, new ipsilateral symptoms were significantly more common in initially symptomatic vessels compared to asymptomatic ones (61.5% versus 17.6%, p < .04), no such difference existed in Group II. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, Key West, Florida, January 25–28, 1989.     

EEG monitoring, selective shunting and patch graft angioplasty in carotid endarterectomy. Early and longterm results

From March 1980 to July 1986 at the Department of Vascular Surgery of the University of Padua, 182 patients underwent 210 carotid revascularizations for atherosclerotic stenosis involving the carotid bifurcation (28 operations were bilateral). Carotid endarterectomies (CE) and patch graft angioplasty totalled 192 (166 patients); an enlarging patch graft angioplasty of the internal carotid artery (ICA) without CE was performed in 14 cases (13 patients); in the remaining four surgical procedures (3 patients), for technical reasons prohibiting CE, the operation consisted of a great saphenous vein bypass between a donor vessel and the ICA distal to the lesion. The preoperative symptoms in 182 patients were as follows: TIAs (98 cases, 54%), non-hemispheric symptoms (21 cases (12%) and fixed stroke or TIAIR (10 cases, 5%). Fifty-three patients (29%) were asymptomatic. In all cases, continuous EEG monitoring was employed. The operation was performed without a temporary intraluminal shunt in the patients showing tolerance to carotid clamping. The protection of the shunt was required only in patients with EEG changes (47 cases). The arteriotomy was routinely closed with a PTFE patch graft angioplasty. Early results of the operation were excellent: none of the patients presented permanent or transient neurological deficits in the immediate postoperative period and none of them died. All patients were reassessed with C.W. Doppler sonography and Duplex scanning in the postoperative period. In all cases, the success of the operation was demonstrated. Longterm follow-up (6-72 months, mean follow-up: 35 months) was done in 121 patients (142 operations): 107 patients were completely asymptomatic, 5 remained stable or slightly improved the preoperative status. Five patients had a new or recurrent TIAs, 3 suffered a stroke, one showed a recurrence of non-hemispheric symptoms. With the exception of two patients suffering a stroke, all had a second arteriography but none of these patients showed extracranial lesions. Two patients presented an asymptomatic restenosis of the ICA. Eight patients (8.8%) revealed a significant evolution of the disease of the contralateral unoperated ICA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The Fate of the External Carotid Artery after Carotid Artery Stenting. A Follow-up Study with Duplex Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effect of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) on the ipsilateral external carotid artery (ECA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively registered the pre- and post-interventional duplex scans obtained from 312 patients (mean age 70 years) who underwent CAS. Duplex scans were scheduled the day before CAS, 3 and 12 months post-procedurally and yearly thereafter, to study progression of obstructive disease in the ipsilateral ECA compared to the contralateral ECA. The duplex ultrasound criteria used to identify ECA stenosis >or=50% were Peak Systolic Velocities of >or=125 cm/s. RESULTS: Preprocedural evaluation of the ipsilateral ECA demonstrated >or=50% stenosis in 32.7% of cases vs 30% contralateral. Both ipsilateral and contralateral 3 (1%) ECA occlusions were noted. After stenting 5 (1.8%) occlusions were seen vs 1% contralateral. No additional ipsilateral occlusions and 2 additional contralateral occlusions were noted at extended follow-up. The prevalence of >or=50% stenosis of the ipsilateral ECA (Kaplan-Meier estimates) progressed from 49.1% at 3, to 56.4%, 64.7%, 78.2%, 72.3%, and 74% at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months respectively. Contralateral prevalences were 31.3%, 37.7%, 41.7%, 43.1%, 46.0%, and 47.2% respectively (p<0.001). Progression of stenosis was more pronounced in 234 patients (75%) with overstenting of the carotid bifurcation (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Our results show that significant progression of >or=50% stenosis in the ipsilateral ECA occurs after CAS. There was greater progression of disease in the ipsilateral compared with the contralateral ECA. Progression of disease in the ECA did not lead to the occurrence of occlusion during follow up.     

Extracranial Cerebrovascular Revascularization for Chronic Ocular Ischemia

We investigated the demographics, presentation, and outcome of patients undergoing cerebrovascular reconstruction for chronic ocular ischemia (COI) at a single institution through a review of 17 patients over a 9-year period. A total of 558 extracranial cerebrovascular reconstructions were performed during the period of study. Seventeen patients (3%) suffered symptoms of COI. There were 19 symptomatic eyes and 15 asymptomatic eyes. Two patients suffered bilateral symptoms. Eighteen (95%) symptomatic eyes experienced rapidly degenerating global visual acuity, and one suffered bright-light amaurosis. Concomitant ocular pathology was present in 10 (59%) patients, consisting of glaucoma (n = 4), cataracts (n = 4), diabetic retinopathy (n = 3), and macular degeneration (n = 1). Symptomatic eyes were found to have significantly worse ipsilateral internal carotid artery (p = 0.004), external carotid artery (p = 0.002), aortic arch branch disease (p = 0.04), and vertebral artery disease (p = 0.04). All 17 reconstructions treated ipsilateral disease. Twelve patients (70.6%) had significant bilateral disease at the time of operation. Three patients underwent staged contralateral reconstruction. Following revascularization, subjective visual improvement or stabilization occurred in 16 patients (94%). A single patient worsened after developing acute narrow angle glaucoma in the perioperative period. Worse cerebrovascular disease is present ipsilateral to symptomatic eyes. When revascularization is performed, arrest of progression or improvement of symptoms occurs in most patients.     

Closure of carotid bifurcation endarterectomy using a polyurethane patch. A multicentre prospective study with 252 patients

BACKGROUND: In order to evaluate the results of carotid endarterectomy with closure using a polyurethane patch, a multicentre prospective study of 252 patients (263 interventions) undergoing this operation was performed between November 1996 and August 2001. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one men and 81 women with a mean age of 70 years were studied. Fifty-five percent of the patients had neurological symptoms. The degree of carotid stenosis evaluated using the European carotid surgery trialist's collaborative group (ECST) criteria was greater than or equal to 70% in 95% of cases. RESULTS: The combined mortality-morbidity operation rate (CMMR) was 2% (1 death from cerebrovascular haemorrhage on Day 3, 1 non-regressive cerebrovascular accident (CVA), 3 regressive CVAs). The patients had follow-up clinical examinations and Doppler ultrasound scans for 2 years. Fifteen patients died during follow-up, 8 of these patients died from heart-related causes and 2 patients died from CVA. Four patients presented with CVAs ipsilateral or contralateral to the endarterectomy. Two false aseptic aneurysms and 1 false septic aneurysm required further surgery. Three asymptomatic carotid occlusions occurred during follow-up. The rate of restenosis greater than 50% was 1.2% at 6 months, 2.3% at 1 year and 5.3% at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the value of po-lyurethane patch closure of carotid endarterectomy.     

Reappraisal of velocity criteria for carotid bulb/internal carotid artery stenosis utilizing high-resolution B-mode ultrasound validated with computed tomography angiography

OBJECTIVE: Reliability of the most commonly used duplex ultrasound (DUS) velocity thresholds for internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis has been questioned since these thresholds were developed using less precise methods to grade stenosis severity based on angiography. In this study, maximum percent diameter carotid bulb ICA stenosis (European Carotid Surgery Trial [ECST] method) was objectively measured using high resolution B-mode DUS validated with computed tomography angiography (CTA) and used to determine optimum velocity thresholds for > or =50% and > or =80% bulb internal carotid artery stenosis (ICA). METHODS: B-mode DUS and CTA images of 74 bulb ICA stenoses were compared to validate accuracy of the DUS measurements. In 337 mild, moderate, and severe bulb ICA stenoses (n = 232 patients), the minimal residual lumen and the maximum outer bulb/proximal ICA diameter were determined on longitudinal and transverse images. This in contrast to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) method using normal distal ICA lumen diameter as the denominator. Severe calcified carotid segments and patients with contralateral occlusion were excluded. In each study, the highest peak systolic (PSV) and end-diastolic (EDV) velocities as well as ICA/common carotid artery (CCA) ratio were recorded. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimum threshold for each hemodynamic parameter was determined to predict > or =50% (n = 281) and > or =80% (n = 62) bulb ICA stenosis. RESULTS: Patients mean age was 74 +/- 8 years; 49% females. Clinical risk factors for atherosclerosis included coronary artery disease (40%), diabetes mellitus (32%), hypertension (70%), smoking (34%), and hypercholesterolemia (49%). Thirty-three percent of carotid lesions (n = 110) presented with ischemic cerebrovascular symptoms and 67% (n = 227) were asymptomatic. There was an excellent agreement between B-mode DUS and CTA (r = 0.9, P = .002). The inter/intraobserver agreement (kappa) for B-mode imaging measurements were 0.8 and 0.9, respectively, and for CTA measurements 0.8 and 0.9, respectively. When both PSV of > or =155 cm/s and ICA/CCA ratio of > or =2 were combined for the detection of > or =50% bulb ICA stenosis, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97% and an accuracy of 82% were obtained. For a > or =80% bulb ICA stenosis, an EDV of > or =140 cm/s, a PSV of > or =370 cm/s and an ICA/CCA ratio of > or =6 had acceptable probability values. CONCLUSION: Compared with established velocity thresholds commonly applied in practice, a substantially higher PSV (155 vs 125 cm/s) was more accurate for detecting > or =50% bulb/ICA stenosis. In combination, a PSV of > or =155 cm/s and an ICA/CCA ratio of > or =2 have excellent predictive value for this stenosis category. For > or =80% bulb ICA stenosis (NASCET 60% stenosis), an EDV of 140 cm/s, a PSV of > or =370 cm/s, and an ICA/CCA ratio of > or =6 are equally reliable and do not indicate any major change from the established criteria. Current DUS > or =50% bulb ICA stenosis criteria appear to overestimate carotid bifurcation disease and may predispose patients with asymptomatic carotid disease to untoward costly diagnostic imaging and intervention.     

A comparison of carotid angioplasty with stenting versus endarterectomy with regional anesthesia

Introduction: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting (PTAS) has been considered a potential alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke prevention. Interventionalists have suggested that PTAS carries less anesthetic risk than CEA. The treatment of carotid stenosis with local or regional anesthesia (LRA) allows direct intraprocedural neurologic evaluation and avoids the potential risks of general anesthesia. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical charts of 377 patients who underwent 414 procedures for the elective treatment of carotid stenosis in 433 cerebral hemispheres with LRA between August 1994 and May 1997. Group I (312 hemispheres) underwent PTAS, and group II (121 hemispheres) underwent CEA. Results: The indications for treatment included the following: asymptomatic severe stenosis (n = 272; 62.8%), transient ischemic attack (TIA; n = 100; 23.1%), and prior stroke (n = 61; 14.1%). The early neurologic results for the patients in group I (n = 268) included 11 TIAs (4.1%), 23 strokes (8.6%), and 3 deaths (1.1%). The early neurologic results for the patients in group II (n = 109) included 2 TIAs (1.8%), one stroke (0.9%), and no deaths. The total stroke and death rates were 9.7% for the patients in group I and 0.9% for the patients in group II (P = .0015). The cardiopulmonary events that led to additional monitoring were evident after 96 procedures in group I (32.8%) and 21 procedures in group II (17.4%; P = .002). Conclusion: PTAS carries a higher neurologic risk and requires more monitoring than CEA in the treatment of patients with carotid artery stenosis with LRA. The proposed benefit for the use of PTAS to avoid general anesthesia cannot be justified when compared with CEA performed with LRA. (J Vasc Surg 1998;28:397-403.)     

Effect of carotid artery stenting on the external carotid artery

OBJECTIVE: We studied the fate of the ipsilateral external carotid artery (ECA) after stenting of the internal carotid artery (ICA) compared with the contralateral ECA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-one ipsilateral ECAs in 112 consecutive patients who underwent carotid artery Wallstent placement were prospectively studied with color-coded duplex sonographic scanning (CCDS) and compared with 83 contralateral ECAs over 2 years. CCDS was scheduled for the day before (day 0), the day after (day 1) and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after stenting. Development of ECA occlusive disease was evaluated with ECA-common carotid artery flow ratio (peak systolic velocity). For estimation of ECA stenosis 70% or greater, flow ratio 4.1 was used as the cutoff point. RESULTS: Before and after stenting, two and three (one additional) ECA occlusions were seen. Median grade of ECA stenosis on day 1 did not significantly change at angiography (P = 1.0; tendency of increase) or CCDS (P =.27; tendency of decrease).At follow-up (day 1-24 months, CCDS only), frequency of stenosis 70% or greater in the ipsilateral ECA was 21 of 120 (17.5%) on day 1 and 41 of 107 (38.32%) at 24 months, and 3 of 107 (2.5%) and 5 of 107 (4.67%) ECA occlusions were registered at the two time points. Progression of disease, as demonstrated by increase in flow ratio over time, was much more pronounced in the ipsilateral ECAs compared with the contralateral ECAs (P =.0002).In stented ICA, 2 (1.85%) asymptomatic recurrent stenoses 70% or greater were found at CCDS.One of three patients with new ECA occlusions reported jaw claudication for 10 days. Perioperative stroke (one major, four minor) occurred in 5 of 121 patients (4.46%). Two minor strokes caused by embolization occurred during the first year. CONCLUSION: The more pronounced progression of arteriosclerotic disease at the orifice of the ipsilateral ECAs during the first year after carotid stenting might be due to local factors of the ICA stent. Its clinical significance in respect to the effect of the ECA as collateral supply to the brain might depend on the incidence of carotid stent rerecurrent stenosis, which was low in the present study.