Percutaneous cervical carotid artery access with stenting of the left internal carotid artery in an elderly patient

To describe the successful endovascular treatment in a nonagenarian with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis using direct carotid artery access. An independent 98 year-old man was admitted to our hospital for symptoms of progressive weakness with disorientation and dysphasia. Carotid Duplex ultrasonography was performed which revealed a totally occluded right internal carotid artery and high grade stenosis of the left internal carotid artery by velocities of 608/240 cm/sec. The patient refused surgical endarterectomy and thus he was referred for carotid artery stenting. Using the femoral artery approach and multiple catheter techniques, access to the common carotid artery could not be accomplished safely. The procedure was aborted and he was therefore brought back to the catheterization laboratory the following day for direct carotid access. Carotid artery stenting was accomplished by using of a 6F sheath percutaneously in the left common carotid, cerebral protection device (CPD) and a Nitinol stent. The patient was discharged the following day without complications. At 14 months follow-up the patient is functional and independent without recurrence of symptoms. Carotid artery stenting via direct access can be accomplished in patients when the femoral artery approach is anatomically prohibitive. In this case of advanced age and the patient’s refusal for surgery, direct carotid access was his only option.     

Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting in elderly patients： the advantage of being an interventional cardiologist

Objective Carotid angioplasty and stenting （CAS） has been suggested to be the procedure of choice in patients with high risk cardiovascular profile. Unfortunately, such patients are often aged with several comorbidities, such as a high prevalence of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and hostile anatomy that complicate the CAS performance. We sought to evaluate the results of CAS in elderly patients, outlining the encountered challenges and the eventual proposed global cardiovascular management. Methods We retrospectively searched the database for patients 〉 65-year-old who were referred to Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Endoluminal Interventions, Rovigo General Hospital, over a 24-month period （December 2007-November 2009） for CAS. Coronary angiography and peripheral screening were performed in all patients. All eventual challenges and related solutions were analyzed. Results Totally, 160 patients were enrolled. Among which, 50 patients （31.2%, mean age 80 ~ 6.4 years） underwent CAS over a 24- month period： 24 patients （48%） had concurrent coronary artery disease （three-vessel in 7 patients, bivessel in 8 patients, single vessel in 5 patients and left main in 4 patients）; 13 patients （26%） and peripheral artery disease at the site of arterial access; 15 patients and type III aortic arch （30%）, 7 patients severe tortuosity of the common carotid artery （14%）, and 8 angulated takeoffof carotid or internal artery （16%）. Concurrent percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 14 patients, including 3 patients with left main disease. Concurrent peripheral intervention was performed in 7 patients （ all with bilateral common or external critical disease） due to the impossibility to gain another access. Successful carotid cannulation was achieved in all patients with hostile neck. Two-wire technique has been used in 17 patients, three-wire technique in 9 patients, and four-wire technique in 4 patients. Conclusion Elderly patients submitted to CAS represent a complex and challenging subgroup in which often cardiac and peripheral technical expertise is required to gain success of the procedure： interventional cardiologists are probably the preferred performers in such complex patients （JGeriatr Cardio12010; 7：3-6）.     

All roads lead to Rome——Direct cervical carotid artery access in carotid artery intervention

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative treatment for patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, especially those with prohibitively high surgical risks.     

Internal mammary artery steal syndrome secondary to a para-IMA after coronary artery bypass graft： a case report

Introduction
The use of the intemal mammary artery （IMA） in coronary artery bypass graft（CABG） for myocardial revascularization is gaining popularity in routine practice, especially when the target vessel is the left anterior descending artery （LAD）. Occasionally, IMA hypoperfusion occurs when there is inadequate flow through the IMA graft to the LAD artery due to the exist of lateral branches.     

Recurrence of resistant hypertension after renal artery stent implantation： A case report

Takayasu＇s Arteritis is a chronic non-specific inflammatory vascular disease involving the aorta and its major branches. Takayasu＇s arteritis is one of important reason for renal artery stenosis（RAS） which may result in severe hypertension. Angioplasty, preferably with stenting, is recommended in RAS secondary to atherosclerosis. However, the safety and efficacy of stent implantation is still unclear in RAS caused by Takayasu＇s arteritis. In order to raise the awareness for the importance of Takayasu＇s arteritis in renal artery disease and further to discuss the endovascular revascularization strategies, we are going to present a case report regarding RAS resulted by Takayasu＇s arteritis and provide a timely summary and update on current understanding.     

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis complicated with pancreatic pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery： A case report

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis complicated with pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare emergency associated with high mortality that demands immediate treatment to save the patient’s life. We treated a 64-year-old man who presented with a bleeding pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery caused by acute pancreatitis, using interventional embolizing therapy. In the present report we show that interventional treatment is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis complicated with intra-abdominal bleeding.     

Ultrasound screening of multifocal atherosclerosis: markers for coronary heart disease

Background and Objective The frequency of multifocal atherosclerosis (MFA) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been thoroughly studied. The purpose of our study was to perform ultrasound screening for MFA in patients with coronary atherosclerosis and make evaluation of the sensitivity and significance of different atherosclerosis markers. Methods Using Color Dupplex Ultrasound (CDU), we studied 32 clinically healthy persons and 87 patients of the city of B with clinical data for CHD where we also performed coronarography. Results In patients with coronary atherosclerosis we found high frequency of carotid atherosclerosis (93%) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) (81%). We established verifiable thickening of the intima-media (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) and common femoral artery (CFA) in patients with CHD. There is a correlation between the frequency of carotid and femoral stenoses and CHD proven by coronarography. Patients with CHD had a high relative risk to develop carotid (RR = 5) and peripheral atherosclerosis (RR=3.5) and high frequency of asymptomatic stenoses and thromboses of the internal carotid artery (86.9%) and femoral artery (78.3%), as well as aneurisms of the abdominal aorta (8.1%). Markers for CAD with high sensitivity were the atherosclerotic plaques of ICA (0.93) and CFA (0.81) as well as IMT of the CFA (0.84). Conclusions MFA are common among patients with CHD. Ultrasound diagnosis is the method of choice for simultaneous non-invasive screening of carotid, peripheral and MFA and provides sensitive markers for coronary atherosclerosis. The most sensitive and specific markers for CHD are the combination of the IMT and atherosclerotic plaques of CCA, ICA and CFA (100% sensitivity and 0.92 specificity).     

Hepatic artery stenosis angioplasty and implantation of Wingspan neurovascular stent: A case report and discussion of stenting in tortuous vessels

BACKGROUND Hepatic artery stenosis is a complication of orthotopic liver transplant occurring in 3.1%-7.4%of patients that can result in graft failure and need for retransplantation.Endovascular therapy with angioplasty and stenting has been used with a high degree of technical success and good clinical outcomes,but tortuous hepatic arteries present a unique challenge for intervention.Suitable stents for this application should be maneuverable and conformable while also exerting adequate radial force to maintain a patent lumen.CASE SUMMARY Herein we report our experience with a neurovascular Wingspan stent system in a challenging case of recurrent hepatic artery stenosis and discuss the literature of stenting in tortuous transplant hepatic arteries.CONCLUSION Wingspan neurovascular stent is self-expanding,has good conformability,and adequate radial resistance and as such it could be added to the armamentarium of interventionalists in the setting of a tortuous and stenotic transplant hepatic artery.     

不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的颈动脉成形支架置入术治疗

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of carotid angioplasty and stenting for carotid stenosis in high-risk symptomatic NASCET-ineligible patients. Methods Twenty patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis at high risk ineligible for NASCET were treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting,12 of them were men,and 8 wre women,the patients ranged in age from 62 to76 years (mean age,69 years). Eleven patients had transient ischemic attack and 9 had cerebral infarction. Digital subtraction angiography showed that the degree of carotid stenosis in all patients was ＞ 70% (NASCET criteria). Among them,9 patients had unilateral carotid artery severe stenosis (2 had restenosis after endarterectomy),6 had bilateral carotid artery severe stenosis,5 had unilateral carotid artery occlusion with contralateral severe sentoses (1 had undergone cervical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma). The embolic protection devices,predilation,and self-expandable stents were used in all patients. Results The success rate of the procedure was 100%. The residual stenosis rate was ＜ 30%. The different levels of a transient decline in heart rates and blood pressure occurred in all the patients during the procedure. One patient was complicated with microembolic embolism. No ischemic stroke occurred in the remaining patients in the periprocedure. The postoperative examination with carotid ultrasound showed that the stenoses were improved significantly. No ipsilateral ischemic stroke and coronary ischemic events were observed at 1 and 3 months follow-up after the procedures. Conclusions Carotid artery stenting is less invasive,and the perioperative complications are fewer,The treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis with high surgical risks is safe and effective.     

Molecular imaging of plaques in coronary arteries with PET and SPECT

Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of mortality. Presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary artery is responsible for lu-men stenosis which is often used as an indicator for determining the severity of coronary artery disease. However, the degree of coronary lumen stenosis is not often related to compromising myocardial blood flow, as most of the cardiac events that are caused by atherosclerotic plaques are the result of vulnerable plaques which are prone to rupture. Thus, identification of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries has become increas-ingly important to assist identify patients with high cardiovascular risks. Molecular imaging with use of positron emission tomography （PET） and single photon emission computed tomography （SPECT） has fulfilled this goal by providing functional information about plaque activity which enables accurate assessment of plaque stability. This review article provides an overview of diagnostic applications of molecular imaging tech-niques in the detection of plaques in coronary arteries with PET and SPECT. New radiopharmaceuticals used in the molecular imaging of coro-nary plaques and diagnostic applications of integrated PET/CT and PET/MRI in coronary plaques are also discussed.     

Transulnar carotid artery stent placement

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has increased in popularity as an alternative to carotid artery endarterectomy for the treatment of significant carotid artery stenosis. The access site is predominantly the femoral artery, with radial or brachial access used less often. Here, we describe a case of CAS after failure of brachial access. Transulnar CAS was performed successfully without complications. Transulnar access represents an additional option in a patient undergoing CAS when conventional femoral, brachial, and radial arteries are not applicable. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transradial approach for carotid artery stenting: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become accepted as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy for revascularization of the internal carotid artery (ICA) among high risk patients. CAS from the femoral approach can be problematic due to access site complications as well as technical difficulties related to peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and/or anatomical variations of the aortic arch. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of the radial artery as an alternative approach for CAS. METHODS: Forty-two patients (mean age 71 +/- 1, 26 male) underwent CAS. All had a CA stenosis greater than 80% and comorbid conditions increasing the risk of carotid endarterectomy. The target common carotid artery (CCA) was initially cannulated via the radial artery using a 5F Simmons 1 diagnostic catheter which was then advanced to the external CA (ECA) over an extra support 0.014" coronary guidewire. After removing the coronary guidewire, a 0.035" guidewire was advanced into the ECA, and the Simmons 1 was exchanged for a 5F or 6F shuttle sheath and positioned in the distal CCA. In four patients with a bovine aortic arch, the left CCA was accessed with a 5F Amplatz R2 catheter which was then exchanged for a shuttle sheath over a 0.035" guidewire. CAS was performed using standard techniques with weight-based bivalirudin for anticoagulation. RESULTS: CAS was successful in 35/42 (83%) patients, including 28/29 (97%) right CA, 4/5 (80%) bovine left CA, 7/13 (54%) left CA. Mean interventional time was 30 +/- 3 minutes. The sheath was removed immediately after the procedure. There were no radial access site complications. One patient sustained a stroke 24 hrs after the procedure with complete resolution of symptoms (Mean NIH stroke scale 2.0 +/- 0.3 before, 1.9 +/- 0.3 after). Median hospital stay was 2 +/- 0.6 days. Inadequate catheter support at the origin of the CCA was the technical cause of failure in the seven unsuccessful cases. CONCLUSION: CAS using the transradial approach appears to be safe and technically feasible. The technique may be particularly useful in patients with right ICA lesions and severe PVD or unfavorable arch anatomy, and among patients with a bovine aortic arch.     

Fate of the external carotid artery following carotid interventions

OBJECTIVE:

The external carotid artery (ECA) is an important collateral pathway for cerebral blood flow. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) typically crosses the ECA, while carotid endarterectomy (CEA) includes deliberate ECA plaque removal. The purpose of the present study was to compare the long-term patency of the ECA following CAS and CEA as determined by carotid duplex ultrasound.

METHODS:

Duplex ultrasounds and hospital records were reviewed for consecutive patients undergoing CAS between February 2002 and April 2008, and were compared with those undergoing CEA in the same time period. Preoperative and postoperative ECA peak systolic velocities were normalized to the common carotid artery (CCA) as ECA/CCA ratios. A significant (80% or greater) ECA stenosis was defined as an ECA/CCA ratio of 4.0. A change of ratio by more than 1 was defined as significant. Data were analyzed using Student’s t test and χ² analysis.

RESULTS:

A total of 86 CAS procedures in 83 patients were performed (81 men, mean age 69.9 years). Among them, 38.4% of patients had previous CEA, 9.6% of whom had contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Sixty-seven CAS and 65 CEA patients with complete duplex data in the same time period were included in the analyses. There was no difference in the incidence of severe ECA stenosis on preoperative ultrasound evaluations. During a mean follow-up of 34 months (range four to 78 months), three postprocedure ECA occlusions were found in the CAS group. The likelihood of severe stenosis or occlusion following CAS was 28.3%, compared with 11% following CEA (P<0.025). However, 62% of CEA patients and 57% of CAS patients had no significant change in ECA status. Reduction in the patient’s degree of ECA stenosis was observed in 9.4% of CAS versus 26.6% of CEA patients. Overall, immediate postoperative ratios of both groups were slightly improved, but there was a trend of more disease progression in the CAS group during follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

CAS is associated with a higher incidence of post-procedure ECA stenosis. Despite the absence of neurological symptoms, a trend toward late disease progression of ECA following CAS warrants long-term evaluation.     

颈动脉超声在筛查颈动脉狭窄及脑卒中高危人群中的应用

目的应用颈动脉超声筛查颈动脉狭窄,并探讨脑卒中高危人群颈动脉狭窄的发病率。方法选择356例患者,以60岁为界分为≤60岁组83例,>60岁组273例,其中高血压196例、冠心病145例、下肢动脉疾病97例、糖尿病134例,采用双功能彩色多普勒行颈动脉超声检查,并分析。结果与≤60岁组比较,>60岁组患者高血压、糖尿病、冠心病和下肢动脉疾病比例明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。颈动脉狭窄≥50%103例,占28.9%,其中颈动脉狭窄≥70%33例,占9.3%。年龄>60岁(OR=2.281,95%CI:1.191～5.673,P=0.013)、冠心病(OR=2.312,95%CI:1.162～4.593,P=0.018)、下肢动脉疾病(OR=2.135,95%CI:1.093～4.985,P=0.011)是颈动脉狭窄的影响因素。结论老年男性、冠心病、下肢动脉疾病人群是颈动脉重度狭窄的主要危险人群,也是颈动脉超声筛查的主要对象。     

颈动脉支架置入术对无症状重度颈动脉狭窄患者认知功能的影响

目的探讨颈动脉支架置入术（carotid artery stenosis,CAS）对无症状重度颈动脉狭窄患者认知功能的影响。方法纳入行CAS的无症状重度颈动脉狭窄（狭窄程度≥70％）患者,分别于CAS术前、术后1个月和3个月采用简易智能状态检测量表（Mini-Mental Status Examination,MMSE）、数字广度测验（Digital Span,DS）、中文听觉词汇学习测验（Chinese Auditory Learning Test,CALT）、线段方向判定测验（Judgment of Line Orientation Test,JLOT）和语言流畅性测验（Verbal Fluency Test,vFT）进行认知功能评价,包括注意、记忆、视空间以及额叶流畅性功能。结果共纳入26例行CAS的无症状重度颈动脉狭窄患者患者,男性18例,女性8例,年龄52～79岁,平均（64．19±6．76）岁,受教育年限（9．84±3．29）年;左侧颈动脉狭窄18例,右侧颈动脉狭窄8例;均成功行CAS,未发生并发症。与CAS术前比较,术后1个月和3个月时各项认知功能均显著性改善（P均〈0．01）,但术后1个月与3个月时无显著性差异（P均〉0．05）。结论CAS能改变无症状重度颈动脉狭窄患者的认知功能,术后早期较为明显。     

Contralateral transradial approach for carotid artery stenting: A feasibility study

Background : Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become an accepted modality of treatment for revascularization of the internal carotid artery (ICA). CAS from femoral approach has got wide acceptance, however, it can be problematic due to access site complication as well as technical difficulties related to peripheral vascular disease and/or anatomical variations of the aortic arch. Small feasibility studies of CAS through ipsilateral transradial approach have been described in the literature. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of contralateral transradial approach as an alternative approach for CAS. Methods : Twenty patients (mean age: 65 ± 5, 17 male) underwent CAS using contralateral transradial approach. All had a CA stenosis greater than 80%. The target common carotid artery (CCA) was initially cannulated via the contralateral radial artery using a 5F Simmons 1 diagnostic catheter or a 5F TIG diagnostic catheter, which was then advanced to the external CA (ECA) over an exchange length of 0.032″ Terumo Glidewire or a 0.025″ Glidewire. Once the catheter was parked in the optimal position in ECA, the wire was removed and was replaced by 0.035″ Amplatz Super stiff Guide wire. Following that, the Simmons 1 or the TIG catheter was removed and 6F Pinnacle Sheath was exchanged and positioned in the distal CCA. CAS was performed using standard techniques with weight‐based heparin for anticoagulation. Results : CAS was successful in 16/20 (80%) patients, including 12/12 (100%) right CA, 4/8 (50%) left CA. Mean interventional time was 40 ± 5 min. The sheath was removed immediately after the procedure. There were no radial access site complications. One patient sustained a transient ischemic attack and recovered completely with complete resolution of symptoms within 1 hr. Median Hospital stay was 3 ± 0.5 days. Angulation of left CCA with the aortic arch was the technical cause of failure in the four unsuccessful cases. Conclusion : CAS using the contralateral transradial approach appears to be safe and technically feasible. The technique may be particularly useful in patients with right ICA lesions because of the favorable right CCA angle with the aortic arch. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

颈动脉支架成形术对颈内动脉重度狭窄患者认知功能的影响

目的观察颈动脉支架成形术(CAS)对颈内动脉重度狭窄患者认知功能与生活质量的影响。方法选择32例未发生大面积脑梗死的重度颈动脉狭窄(狭窄程度≥70%)患者行CAS,手术前及术后3个月采用简易智能状态检查量表(MMSE)及视觉保持测验(VRT)观察认知功能的变化,用WHO生存质量量表简表(WHOQOL-BREF)观察患者生活质量变化。结果所有患者均成功行CAS,成功率100%。与术前颈动脉狭窄率比较,术后3个月狭窄率明显降低[(83.4±7.6)%vs(4.3±1.3)%,P<0.01];与术前比较,术后3个月MMSE评分、VRT正确计分、WHOQOL-BREF评分明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);VRT错误计分明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。随访期无症状性脑卒中复发。结论严重颈动脉狭窄可能是导致患者认知功能障碍的原因之一,CAS可以改善患者的认知功能和生活质量。     

Protected carotid artery stenting in patients with severe stenosis

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and ulcers are the major findings of unstable plaques. In addition, initial symptoms are associated with postprocedural complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to determine the safety of CAS using an embolic protection device in symptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis and unstable plaques such as IPH and ulcers.This retrospective study included 140 consecutive patients with severe carotid stenosis. These patients underwent preprocedural carotid vessel wall imaging to evaluate the plaque status. We analyzed the incidence of initial clinical symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting, after CAS. The primary outcomes analyzed were the incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within 30 days of CAS.Sixty-seven patients (47.9%) had IPH, and 53 (38.9%) had ulcers on carotid wall imaging/angiography. Sixty-three patients (45.0%) had acute neurological symptoms with positive diffusion-weighted image findings. Intraluminal thrombi on initial angiography and flow arrest during CAS were significantly higher in patients with IPH and symptomatic patients. Symptoms were significantly higher in patients with IPH than in those without (63.5% vs 35.1%, P < .001). There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms after stenting or in primary outcomes, regardless of IPH, ulcer, or initial symptoms.IPH and plaque ulceration are risk factors in symptomatic carotid stenosis. However, IPH and plaque ulceration were not a significant risk factors for cerebral embolism during protected carotid artery stent placement in patients with carotid stenosis. Protected CAS might be feasible and safe despite the presence of unstable plaques.     

Percutaneous versus surgical revascularization for symptomatic carotid artery disease

Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide and the number one disease associated with permanent disability. In 2006, the estimated total cost of stroke in the United States was a staggering $60 billion. Significant stenosis of the internal carotid artery is responsible for 10% to 20% of all strokes, and current recommendations suggest that patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis undergo revascularization for stroke prevention or risk reduction. Since the 1950s, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been the dominant modality of revascularization. However, carotid artery angioplasty, introduced in the 1980s, and subsequent carotid artery stenting (CAS), have greatly improved in recent years and provide a viable alternative to CEA, particularly for certain high-risk patients. Encouraging results from clinical studies of CAS and CEA have played pivotal roles in shaping current practice guidelines. We review the published studies on CAS and discuss appropriate use of this procedure for symptomatic carotid artery disease.     

Prevalence of carotid artery stenosis in Chinese patients with angina pectoris

Background

The prevalence of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in Chinese patients with angina pectoris is unknown.

Methods

The study population consisted of 989 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo nonemergent coronary angiography for suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD) because of angina pectoris between January 2013 and December 2014. All patients underwent carotid ultrasonography to screen for CAS within one month before or after coronary angiography. We defined cases with 0–50%, 50%–70%, and >70% stenosis as mild, moderate, and severe stenosis, respectively.

Results

CAD was presented in 853 patients (86.2%) of whom 191 patients (19.3%) had 1-vessel disease, 246 patients (24.9%) had 2-vessel disease and 416 patients (42.1%) had 3-vessel disease; left main trunk stenosis present in 137 patients (13.9%). In carotid ultrasonography, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe stenosis as well as that of total occlusion of the carotid artery was 54.5%, 13%, 4.7% and 0.8%, respectively. Significant CAS (>50% stenosis and total occlusion) was present in 10.3%, 13.9%, 19.9% and 22.8% of patients with 0-vessel, 1-vessel, 2-vessel and 3-vessel CAD. The severity of CAS was directly correlated (r=0.194, P<0.001) with the extent of CAD. The independent predictors of severe CAS and total carotid artery occlusion were increased age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperhomocysteinemia, a previous history of stroke and 3-vessel CAD.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CAS was not rare in China when compared with that in western countries, and the presence of CAS was weakly correlated with the extent of CAD. Screening for CAS should be recommended in Chinese patients with CAD, especially in those with one or more CAS-associated risk factors.