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.     

Feasibility and safety of transbrachial approach for patients with severe carotid artery stenosis undergoing stenting.

Although sporadic successful cases using the transradial approach (TRA) for carotid stenting have been reported, the safety and feasibility of carotid stenting using either TRA or a transbrachial approach (TBA) have not been fully investigated. Recently, we have developed a safe and feasible method of TRA for cerebrovascular angiographic studies. This study investigated whether a TBA approach using a 7-French (F) Kimny guiding catheter for carotid stenting is safe and feasible for patients with severe carotid stenosis. Thirteen patients were enrolled into this study (age range, 63-78 years). Seven of these 13 patients had severe peripheral vascular disease. A retrograde-engagement technique, involving looping 6-F Kimny guiding catheter, was utilized for carotid angiographic study. For carotid stenting, the 6-F Kimny guiding catheter was replaced with a 7-F Kimny guiding catheter, and the procedure was performed as the follows. First, an extra-support wire was inserted into the middle portion of external carotid artery (ECA). Second, a 0.035-inch Teflon wire was advanced into the common carotid artery. Then, the 6-F guiding catheter was exchanged for a 7-F Kimny guiding catheter. Third, if the first and second steps did not provide adequate support for exchanging the guiding catheter, a PercuSurge GuardWire was inserted into the ECA, followed by distal balloon inflation for an anchoring support. FilterWire EX was used in 9 patients and PercuSurge GuardWire in 4 patients to protect from distal embolization during the procedure. The procedure was successful in all patients. No neurological or vascular bleeding complications were observed and all patients were discharged uneventfully. The TBA for carotid stenting was safe and effective, providing a last resort for patients unsuited to femoral arterial access and surgical intervention.     

Transradial approach for carotid artery stenting: A position paper from the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE)

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a valid and effective alternative to endoatherectomy when performed by experienced operators. The conventional approach used is the transfemoral one, but in the last 10 years a transradial (TR) approach, the standard access for cardiac catheterization, became widely adopted for peripheral vascular interventions, included the extracranial carotids. Preliminary experiences suggest this approach as safe and effective, especially in specific anatomical and clinical settings that have been shown to be associated with high risk of complications from the femoral route. Lacking international guidelines, this document, promoted by the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology - Gruppo Italiano Studi Emodinamici (SICI-GISE), was drawn-up by a panel of interventional cardiologists with a documented experience on the subject, focusing on the indications, techniques and materials that should be used for this type of intervention and the most recent literature on the subject.     

Transradial approach for stenting of vertebrobasilar stenosis: A Feasibility Study

Background: Endovascular intervention of vertebrobasilar stenosis is a relatively new but alternative modality of management, supported by very few studies and case reports. Femoral approach has been used in all. The purpose of present study is to evaluate feasibility of the radial artery as an alternative approach for vertebral artery stenting (VAS) and basilar artery stenting (BAS). Methods: Forty‐seven patients (mean age 70 ± 5, 38 male) underwent VAS and BAS. VAS was offered in 42 and BAS was offered in five patients. All the patients were symptomatic having stenosis greater than 75%. The target vertebral artery (VA) was cannulated using a 6Fr Internal Mammary Artery (IMA) guide catheter using ipsilateral radial approach. 0.014″ floppy tip coronary guide wire was advanced and parked across the culprit stenosis. Pre dilation was done using a 2 × 12 mm² or a 2.5 × 12 mm² PTCA catheter and balloon mounted 2.5 × 13 mm² or 3 × 13 mm² bare metal stent was deployed using 8–10 atm pressure for all chronic lesions. For acute occlusions, the procedure was divided in two stages. In first stage, the lesion was dilated using PTCA catheter (1.5 × 12 mm²) at 4–6 atm pressure just to establish the distal flow. After 24 hr, the patient was brought back and the culprit lesion was stented using 8–10 atm pressure. The procedure was staged to prevent hyperperfusion brain injury. Results: VAS was successful in 42/42 (100%) patients. BAS was successful in five out of five (100%) patients. However, three patients had transient periprocedural stroke which recovered completely within 6 hr and one patient developed intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who died after 24 hr. Hyper perfusion brain injury was the cause for ICH. Conclusion: VAS and BAS using the transradial approach appear to be safe, technically feasible, and reproducible. Technical ease of cannulation of vertebral artery with IMA guide catheter using ipsilateral transradial approach should make it more convenient when compared with femoral approach.© 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Successful use of the five‐in‐six system with IVUS guided transradial renal artery stenting

In transradial renal intervention, the long distance between the vascular access and the target lesion represents a major issue. The 100 cm guiding catheter (GC) may be too short to engage the renal artery particularly in tall patients or with excessive aortic turtousity. On the other hand, with the use of 125 cm long GC, only few premounted dedicated renal stents can be used. The shaft of the stent delivery system must be 140 cm or more to be compatible with the 125 GC. However, in many renal interventions, only few more centimeters are required to give the GC the sufficient working length needed for proper engagement and back up support. For this purpose, we used the Terumo “five‐in‐six” system to provide the necessary extra length through the protruding part of the 5 Fr GC out of the tip of the 6 Fr GC. With the super soft distal segment of the 5 FR GC deeply intubated into the right renal artery, we had the sufficient backup support to do renal stenting with IVUS guidance. This case illustrates that the “five‐in‐six” system can be an alternative strategy whenever extra length or strong backup support is needed during transradial renal artery intervention. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transient contrast encephalopathy after carotid artery stenting mimicking diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report

Several types of brain injury incurred during carotid artery stenting (CAS), such as embolic injury, hemodynamic events, and hemorrhage. Rapid differential diagnosis is important for decision making, and may help to avoid subsequent complications. Here, we describe a case with severe triple vessel coronary artery disease, who underwent right coronary artery (RCA) stenting and ad hoc left CAS. Patient developed neurological deficit two hours after the procedure. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse cortical enhancement similar to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Patient recovered dramatically with complete resolution of contrast enhancement after four days of conservative treatment, final diagnosis was a rare reported case of transient contrast encephalopathy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A retrospective study on the preventive effect of statin after carotid artery stenting

This retrospective study appraised the preventive effect of statin after carotid artery stenting (CAS).Records were extracted for 100 patients with CAS surgery indicator, aged between 20 and 75 years old, and treated for statin. The cohort study included treatment group (statin and routine treatment) and control group (routine treatment), each group 50 patients. Outcomes consisted of degree of nerve defect (as measured by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale), lipid profiles (mg/dL), and CAS complications within 30 days after surgery.After treatment, there were no significant differences in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, lipid profiles, and mortality rate between 2 groups. However, significant differences in total cholesterol (mg/dL, P = .03), low-density lipoprotein (mg/dL, P = .01), transient ischemic attack (P = .03), ischemic stroke (P = .04), and cardiac complications (P = .03) were identified within 30 days after CAS between 2 groups.The results of this study showed that prior statin treatment may be effective for the prevention of CAS complications.     

Posterior tibial artery access using transradial techniques: Retrograde approach to inaccessible lower extremity lesions

Percutaneous intervention of chronic limb ischemia is often limited by vascular access especially in patients with previous surgical interventions. This warrants development of alternative endovascular techniques, particularly for patients in whom traditional ipsilateral antegrade or contralateral retrograde access has failed or is not possible. We describe a novel approach to the posterior tibial artery using retrograde access with transradial techniques including closure devices in two patients with inaccessible antegrade access. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Intra-aortic counterpulsation during carotid stenting.

Postprocedural hypotension following endovascular stent placement of carotid artery disease (CAS) predicts increased in-hospital complications and long-term risk of death. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) both increases mean arterial pressure and cerebral blood flow and therefore possibly reduces complications due to hemodynamic instability during and after CAS. In this study, we describe the use of IABP in a patient with severe depression of left ventricular function due to diffuse coronary artery disease undergoing CAS. Controlled studies are necessary to demonstrate a potentially protective role of IABP in high-risk CAS patients.     

Carotid stenting in patients older than 65 years with inoperable carotid artery disease: A single‐center experience

Carotid angioplasty and stenting to treat extracranial carotid stenosis is an alternative (as yet not widely accepted) to high‐risk surgery, but its safety and efficacy are little known, especially in elderly patients. We reviewed our 3‐year experience of treating 100 elderly patients (> 65 years old) considered to be inoperable (76 men, 24 women, mean age 76 ± 10 years, mean follow‐up 18 ± 9.2 months) and present two case histories. Most (85%) were symptomatic (transient ischemic attacks in 60, stroke in 25); 80 had concomitant coronary artery disease (severe in 30 [defined by > 70% stenosis in two or more epicardial coronary arteries or the left main coronary artery]) and 25 had severe left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 20%). The procedure was technically successful in all patients; there was one major stroke and no patient died. Postprocedure, 15% had minor complications: reversible neurological deficit (5%), pulmonary edema (3%), prolonged hypotension (3%), vascular access complications (3%), and neck hematoma (1%). Over 90% of patients were discharged home within 24 hr. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 50:1–8, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Starting a carotid artery stenting program is safe

Background : Little is known on the performance of newly initiated carotid artery stenting (CAS) programs. The safety of the procedure is being questioned following the publication of the EVA‐3S trial, a study criticized for the limited interventional experience required to enroll patients. Methods : Within a newly started academic CAS program, patient data and outcomes were collected prospectively. The outcomes of the first 100 consecutive patients treated are reported. A CAS‐fellowship‐trained interventionalist was involved in all procedures. All patients underwent clinical assessment by a neurologist before and after the procedure, and serial ECG and cardiac enzymes were routinely obtained. Primary outcome measures included 30‐day major adverse events (MAE), defined as death, stroke, or myocardial infarction, while on follow‐up deaths and ipsilateral strokes were added. Results : Between July 2003 and November 2006, 92 patients had a single internal carotid artery treated, while 7 underwent staged bilateral CAS. In one patient, the procedure was aborted prior to lesion treatment. The 30‐day MAE rate per procedure was 1.9% (one major and one minor stroke). By a mean follow‐up of 16 months (range 2–42 months), one patient had died of refractory heart failure, while one patient had a minor ipsilateral stroke and three had minor contralateral strokes, corresponding to total MAE per patient of 4%. The rate of any stroke or death was 7%. The rate of restenosis ≥50% per lesion by ultrasound was 3.8%. Conclusion : This single center experience suggests that it is safe to start a CAS program following dedicated fellowship. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Carotid endarterectomy with simultaneous retrograde common carotid artery stenting: Technical Considerations

Carotid endarterectomy with simultaneous retrograde common carotid artery stenting (CEA‐RCCAS) is performed with increasing frequency to treat tandem common and internal carotid artery stenoses. Technical details are not clearly delineated in the literature. Our procedure aims to maximize procedural ease and cerebral protection. Although the need for the endovascular component being performed first, followed by shunt placement, and the use of short wires and sheaths has been advocated, we describe the avoidance of shunt placement and the use of long sheaths to facilitate the procedure using local anesthesia and cervical blockade. Use of local anesthesia, avoidance of a shunt, and use of a long sheath may increase the procedural applicability and safety in some patients. CEA‐RCCAS permits safe simultaneous treatment of tandem common and internal carotid artery stenoses. The use of technical adjuncts described here will permit further expansion of the procedure to allow additional patients to be treated in this hybrid fashion. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transulnar versus transradial artery approach for coronary angioplasty: the PCVI-CUBA study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare in terms of efficacy and safety the transulnar to the transradial approach for coronary angiography and angioplasty. Background: Opposite to the transradial approach, which is now widely used in catheterization laboratories worldwide, the ulnar artery approach is rarely used for cardiac catheterization. METHODS: Diagnostic coronarography, followed or not by angioplasty, was performed by transulnar or transradial approach, chosen at random. A positive (normal) direct or reverse Allen's test was required before tempting the radial or the ulnar approach, respectively. MACE were recorded till 1-month follow-up. Doppler ultrasound assessment of the forearm vessels was scheduled for all the angioplastied patients. RESULTS: Successful access was obtained in 93.1% of patients in the ulnar group (n = 216), and in 95.5% of patients in the radial group (n = 215), P = NS. One hundred and three and 105 angioplasty procedures were performed in 94 and 95 patients in ulnar and radial group, with success in 95.2% and 96.2% of procedures in ulnar and radial group, respectively (P = NS). Freedom from MACE at 1-month follow-up was observed in 93 patients in both groups (97.8% for ulnar group and 95.8% for radial group), P = NS. Asymptomatic access site artery occlusion occurred in 5.7% of patients after transulnar and in 4.7% of patients after transradial angioplasty. A big forearm hematoma, and a little A-V fistula were observed, each in one patient, in the ulnar group. CONCLUSION: The transulnar approach for diagnostic and therapeutic coronary interventions is a safe and effective alternative to the transradial approach, as both techniques share a high success rate and an extremely low incidence of entry site complications. The transulnar approach has the potential to spare injury to the radial artery in anticipation of its use as a coronary bypass conduit.     

Multidisciplinary approach to carotid stenting

Background: Stroke neurologists, vascular surgeons, interventional neuroradiologists and interventional cardiologists have embraced carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) because of potential advantages over carotid endarterectomy (CEA). At Austin Health, a multidisciplinary neuro‐interventional group was formed to standardise indications and facilitate training. The aims of this study were to describe our organisational model and to determine whether 30‐day complications and early outcomes were similar to those of major trials. Methods: A clinical protocol was developed to ensure optimal management. CAS was performed on patients with high medical risk for CEA, with technically difficult anatomy for CEA, or who were randomised to CAS in a trial. Results: From October 2003 to May 2008, 47 patients (34 male, mean age 71.5) underwent CAS of 50 carotid arteries. Forty‐three cases had ipsilateral carotid territory symptoms within the previous 12 months. The main indications for CAS were high risk for CEA (n= 17) and randomised to CAS (n= 21). Interventionists were proctored in 27 cases. The procedural success rate was 94% with two cases abandoned because of anatomical problems and one because of on‐table angina. Hypotension requiring vasopressor therapy occurred in 12 cases (24%). The duration of follow up was one to 44 months (mean 6.8 months). The 30‐day rate of peri‐procedural stroke or death was 6% and the one‐year rate of peri‐procedural stroke or death or subsequent ipsilateral stroke was 10.6%. Restenosis occurred in 13% (all asymptomatic). Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach is a useful strategy for initiating and sustaining a CAS programme.     

严重冠心病患者合并颈动脉重度狭窄应用AngioguardTM 远端保护装置行颈动脉支架术--附7例报告

目的评价远端保护装置(DPD)AngioguardTM血栓捕获导丝在严重冠心病多支病变患者颈动脉支架置入术(CAS)中应用的安全性和疗效.方法2002年8月至2003年7月,7例冠心病多支病变患者在冠状动脉造影同时行颈动脉造影提示存在严重颈动脉狭窄(＞75%),在于预冠状动脉病变前后行CAS治疗,术中均应用AngioguardTM DPD.7例患者均为男性,平均年龄(60.9±10.1)岁(46～72岁).4例有陈旧脑梗死史,1例有短暂性脑缺血发作史.结果2例患者于CAS前1周行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI),其余5例于CAS术后1～2周体外循环下行心脏冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)治疗.AngioguardTMDPD均顺利通过所有病变并回收,均成功置入支架,技术成功率100%.干预单侧颈动脉4例,其余3例同时干预双侧病变.3例双侧病变者于球囊扩张或支架释放过程中出现短暂窦缓、窦停,伴血压下降,经对症处理后恢复.围术期无新发脑血管意外及其他严重并发症.2例PCI和5例CABG治疗患者术后恢复良好,无神经系统并发症.结论在严重冠心病多支病变患者CAS中应用AngioguardTMDPD行远端保护是安全有效的.     

Feasibility and safety of transradial artery approach for selective cerebral angiography.

The transradial artery (TRA) approach is a conventional means of diagnostic cardiac catheterization and catheter-based coronary intervention. However, to our knowledge, the safety and feasibility of cerebrovascular angiographic studies using the TRA approach for patients with brain ischemia has not been reported. This study investigated whether the TRA approach using 6 Fr Kimny guiding catheter for both extracranial and intracranial angiographies is safe and effective for patients with a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or significant carotid stenosis. From February 2003 to June 2004, a total of 46 consecutive patients with an age range from 50 to 83 years were enrolled into the study. The retrograde engagement technique that involved lopping the guiding catheter was utilized. Outpatient carotid angiography was performed in 40% of the study patients. The overall procedural success (defined as completely evaluating both carotid and vertebral arteries and intracranial vessels) was 93.5% (n = 43) using the Kimny guiding catheter. Significant cerebrovascular stenosis (> 50%), including carotid artery in 52.2% (n = 24), vertebral artery in 15.2% (n = 7), and intracranial major artery in 15.2% (n = 7), was found in 82.6% of the patients. Notably, 17 (37.0%) of these patients with severe carotid stenosis (> or = 70%) required staged carotid stenting. Concomitant vertebral artery stenting was performed in four (8.7%) patients because of severe stenosis (> or = 70%) of these vessels. Two patients experienced transient dizziness (duration < 30 min) following the procedure. TRA approach for selective cerebral angiography is safe and feasible in patients with a history of brain ischemia.