Abstract 2771: Incidence of High Risk Atherosclerotic Lesions in Intracranial and Extracranial Carotid Arteries in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A 3.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xihai Zhao ◽  
Huilin Zhao ◽  
Feiyu Li ◽  
Jie Sun ◽  
Ye Cao ◽  
...  

Introduction Rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in the intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries could trigger ischemic stroke. However, the incidence of high risk atherosclerotic lesions in these vascular beds is not well known. This study sought to investigate the incidence of high risk atherosclerotic lesions in intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries in stroke patients using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Methods Seventy-five patients (mean age 62.7 years, 56 males) with acute ischemic stroke underwent MR imaging for index carotid arteries, assigned as the same side as the brain lesions, with a Philips 3.0T MR scanner. Intracranial carotid MR angiography was performed using 3D TOF sequence with FOV of 23 × 23 cm 2 , matrix of 256 × 256, and a slice thickness of 1mm. The multi-contrast vessel wall images (3D TOF, T1W, T2W, and MP-RAGE) were acquired for extracranial carotid arteries with FOV of 14 × 14 cm 2 , matrix of 256 × 256, and slice thickness of 2 mm. The intracranial artery includes middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and posterior cerebral artery (PCA). The extracranial carotid artery was divided into internal carotid artery (ICA), bulb, and common carotid artery (CCA). Luminal stenosis for each intracranial and extracranial carotid segment was measured and graded (normal or mild = 0-29%, moderate =30-69%, severe=70-99%). Normalized wall index (NWI = wall area/total vessel area × 100%), and presence/absence of calcification, lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and/or fibrous cap rupture in each extracranial carotid segment were determined. Results MCAs developed more severe stenotic lesions (24.6%), followed by extracranial carotids (16.5%), PCAs (5.4%), and ACAs (4.1%) in stroke patients ( Figure 1 A). For extracranial carotid arteries, ICAs showed the largest plaque burden as measured by NWI (44.3%±13.1%), followed by bulbs (39.4%±13%), and CCAs (37%±6.8%). Compared to CCAs, ICAs and bulb regions had more LRNCs (38.4% and 49.3% for ICA and bulb respectively) and IPH and/or rupture (11% and 9.6% for ICA and bulb respectively) ( Figure 1 B). Conclusions In patients with acute ischemic stroke, high risk atherosclerotic plaques can be found in both intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries, particularly in the MCA, ICA and bulb regions. Compared to extracranial carotid arteries, intracranial arteries develop more high risk lesions. The findings of this study suggest the necessity for early screening to detect high risk atherosclerotic lesions in these carotid vascular beds prior to cerebravascular events.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 263-263
Author(s):  
Victor J. Marder ◽  
Dennis J. Chute ◽  
Sidney Starkman ◽  
Anna M. Abolian ◽  
Chelsea Kidwell ◽  
...  

Abstract To obtain insights into the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, we analyzed thromboemboli and other occlusive material retrieved acutely from the cerebral arteries of patients. The experimental design was an observational study in 25 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated by endovascular mechanical thromboembolectomy. Patients with acute occlusion of a proximal cerebral artery, a disabling neurologic deficit, and either initiation of therapy within 8 hours of onset or initiation of therapy beyond 8 hours if imaging demonstrated substantial residual penumbral tissue at risk were treated at a tertiary Comprehensive Stroke Center (the UCLA Stroke Center). Thrombus was removed by an endovascular mechanical embolectomy device (Merci® Retriever System, Concentric Medical, Mountain View, CA) after placement by angiographic catheter into the occluded intracranial carotid artery, middle cerebral artery or vertebral-basilar artery under fluoroscopic guidance. Our results show that the large majority (20 of 25) of extracted thrombi have similar histologic architecture, a complex of layered, sometimes serpentine, lengths of fibrin:platelet deposits interspersed with linear streaks of nucleated cells. This histology was prevalent with both cardioembolic and atherosclerotic etiologies, indicating the same pathogenetic influences of blood flow and shear in thrombus formation. This histologic pattern among thrombi was present in both the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Clots composed uniformly of erythrocytes were uncommon (3 of 25) and were observed only with incomplete extractions, suggesting that sampling was of the proximal thrombus tail where post-occlusion thrombosis had occurred under conditions of stagnant flow. Calcifications or cholesterol were not present. Thrombus size, not histology, predicted the site of arterial occlusion, with no thrombus larger than 3 mm width causing stroke limited to the MCA and no thrombus larger than 5 mm width removed from the ICA. Fungus-containing thrombus was extracted from one patient who had mycotic valvular disease, and an unusual complication occurred in another case, namely, scraping of a small atheroma and attached intima from the MCA, albeit without clinical consequence. We conclude that thromboemboli that cause acute ischemic stroke are of similar, complex structure, regardless of macroscopic dimensions, and are similarly influenced by blood flow, whether the primary etiology is cardioembolic or atherosclerotic. Embolus size is the critical aspect that determines its ultimate destination, those of more than 5 mm width appearing to bypass the cerebral vessels entirely. The mixed fibrin:platelet pattern present in the preponderance of thromboemboli provides foundation for the success of both antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment strategies in stroke prevention.


2020 ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
I. S. Puliayeva

Summary. Goal. To analyze the indications for surgical treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Materials and methods. The well-known tactics of performing carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients still need to be divided into groups with symptomatic and asymptomatic ICA stenosis, depending on the clinical course of the disease and the risk of developing stroke. Of the 140 patients enrolled in the study, 60 patients formed patients with symptomatic ICA lesions, namely: a) 50 patients with symptomatic ICA stenosis; b) 10 patients with visual impairment and ICA stenosis. Of 80 asymptomatic patients with verified atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid arteries without manifestations of acute ischemic cerebral circulation during the last 6 months, of which. Discussion and results. Patients with symptomatic ICA lesions are the most at-risk group for the development of recurrent stroke, they require comprehensive treatment depending on the size of the lesion and the risk of hemorrhagic complication. Conclusions. Patients with multifocal atherosclerosis should be screened for carotid artery screening to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in the postoperative period. Patients with ischemic stroke should perform an MRI to confirm the focus of the first stage, followed by ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries. In the case of carotid lesions, patients undergo carotid CT scans to establish indications for surgical treatment.


Stroke ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 2075-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. McPherson ◽  
Daniel Woo ◽  
Paul L. Cohen ◽  
Arthur M. Pancioli ◽  
Brett M. Kissela ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Piotr Każmierski ◽  
Michał Pająk ◽  
Justyna Kruś-Hadała ◽  
Mateusz Jęckowski ◽  
Katarzyna Bogusiak

Purpose The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in extracranial sections of carotid arteries and to determine the level of the correlation between these lesions and symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Secondly, to identify the most common risk factors of ischaemic stroke occurrence in population of patients of vascular outpatient clinic. Material and Methods Prospective study was conducted on a group of 1,000 people (217 women and 783 men), aged 50 to 86 years, the average age was 62 years (± 9.95). Results Atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries were observed in 670 examined people (67%). In 63 cases (6.3%) carotid artery occlusion was revealed. Patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis more frequently were addicted to cigarettes and suffered from hypertension in comparison to asymptomatic group. A statistically significant correlation between the TIA or ischemic stroke and smoking were noticed, as well as between TIA/ischemic stroke and hypertension Conclusions Among patients with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries atherosclerotic lesions in the extracranial carotid sections occur with a high frequency. Statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries were observed in this group. A statistically significant correlation was revealed between the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries in symptomatic patients and smoking and hypertension. Performing screening in patients with atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and/or lower limb arteries may detect significant carotid artery stenosis, requiring surgical intervention.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Hiramatsu ◽  
Motomasa Furuse ◽  
Ryokichi Yagi ◽  
Hiroyuki Ohnishi ◽  
Naokado Ikeda ◽  
...  

Endovascular thrombectomy is recommended for a persistent ischemic penumbra if recanalization cannot be achieved by the intravenous (IV) administration of recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) alone. Although endovascular thrombectomy is a powerful treatment for major cerebral artery occlusion, the monitoring of recanalization and reperfusion during acute ischemic stroke presents a therapeutic challenge, and a previous study reported the usefulness of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for intraoperative monitoring during emergency endovascular thrombectomy for acute large ischemic stroke. Here we present our experience with a relevant case series. We applied NIRS monitoring during endovascular thrombectomy in two patients with large ischemic stroke following carotid artery occlusion and one patient with a non-large ischemic stroke caused by a distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. In the patients with large ischemic stroke, complete recanalization of the internal carotid artery was achieved, and NIRS revealed a very good regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) response. By contrast, in the patient with non-large ischemic stroke, the rSO2 did not change, despite complete recanalization of the distal MCA. Our findings suggest the limited usefulness of intraoperative NIRS monitoring during emergency endovascular thrombectomy for non-large acute ischemic stroke caused by a distal MCA occlusion. However, intraoperative NIRS monitoring could be used practically to detect recanalization of the major artery during thrombectomy and early IV rt-PA administration in cases involving major artery occlusion.


2020 ◽  

Background: There are no guidelines for the optimal timing of surgery (emergency vs. delayed) for ascending aortic dissection with acute ischemic stroke. We retrospectively compared the prognoses and radiological and clinical findings for concomitant aortic dissection and ischemic stroke in a series of case reports. Case presentation: Three patients presented with left hemiparesis. Patient 1 underwent surgery for acute aortic dissection without treatment for acute ischemic stroke. In Patient 2, emergency stenting could not be performed due to cardiac tamponade and hypotension. Therefore, emergency acute aortic dissection surgery was performed. Patient 3 underwent emergency right common carotid artery stenting followed by surgery for acute aortic dissection. Brain perfusion computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to diagnose severe stenosis of the right common carotid artery or occlusion concomitant with acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch with a cerebral perfusion mismatch in all the patients. Patient 3 had postoperative local cerebral infarction, whereas patients 1 and 2 (without stent insertion) had extensive postoperative cerebral infarction. Conclusion: Patient 3 showed a better prognosis than patients without stent treatment. We suggest that perfusion CTA of the aortic arch in suspected acute ischemic stroke can facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment in similar patients.


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