scholarly journals Cervical internal carotid artery tortuosity: A morphologic analysis of patients with acute ischemic stroke

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-221
Author(s):  
John C Benson ◽  
Waleed Brinjikji ◽  
Steven A Messina ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
David F Kallmes

Background and purpose Cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) tortuosity is thought to impede distal catheterization during attempted mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study sought to assess the morphologic characteristics of ICAs and the effects of tortuosity on thrombectomy attempts. Methods A retrospective review was completed of neck CTAs of patients with acute ischemic stroke due to a large vessel occlusion that underwent attempted endovascular recanalization. Significant tortuosity of ICAs was defined as the presence of kink(s) (acute (<90°) angulation), loop(s) (C- or S-shaped curvature with 2+ areas of acute (<90°) angulation), or coil(s) (full 360° turn arterial bend). Findings were statistically compared to procedure time, successful recanalization rate, patient demographics, and co-morbidities. Results Of 120 included patients, 47 (39.2%) had some form of tortuosity of one or both ICAs. Twenty-eight patients (23.3%) had a kink of one or both ICAs; this was followed in frequency by loops (n = 20; 16.7%) and coils (n = 8; 6.7%). Kinks were associated with lower rates of successful recanalization (p = 0.02). The presence of any tortuosity (kinks, loops, or coils) was not associated with number of passes during thrombectomy (p = 0.88), successful recanalization (p = 0.11), or total procedure time (p = 0.22). No association was noted between the presence of tortuosity and age (p = 0.96) or prior or current tobacco use (p = 0.75 and p = 0.69, respectively). Conclusion Among patients referred for urgent revascularization for large vessel occlusion, approximately 40% exhibit some tortuosity. Kinks may portend lower likelihood of recanalization success, although tortuosity as a whole seems to have little effect on endovascular thrombectomy.

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Goyal ◽  
Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽  
Abhi Pandhi ◽  
Yasser M Khorchid ◽  
Abhishek Ojha ◽  
...  

Introduction: Recently, five published major randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that timely mechanical thrombectomy (MT) of acute ischemic strokes (AIS) with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) is safe and improves functional outcomes. However, data evaluating the efficacy and safety of MT in ELVO patients with concomitant cervical internal carotid artery (cICA) occlusion is limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of MT in ELVO patients with concomitant cICA occlusion Methods: We prospectively analyzed consecutive AIS patients with anterior circulation ELVO who underwent stent-retriever or primary aspiration thrombectomy at two tertiary stroke centers. Outcome measures in our study were 3-month mortality and modified ranking scale (mRS), as well as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Safety and efficacy outcomes were compared between ELVO patients with and without concomitant cICA occlusion. Results: A total of 137 AIS patients had anterior circulation ELVO and underwent MT (age 63 ± 14, 49% male, median NIHSS 17, IQR [13-20]). ELVO patients with concomitant cICA occlusion (n=19) did not differ in terms of rates of sICH (0% versus 11%, p=0.21), complete recanalization (68 % versus 68%, p=1.00), onset to groin puncture time (minutes [IQR] 268 [211-379] versus 225 [165-312], p=0.47), 3-month mortality (35% versus 26 %, p=0.55), and mRS of 0-2 at 3 months (41% versus 45%, p=0.80) when compared with ELVO patients without concomitant cICA occlusion (n=118). Admission NIHSS was higher among ELVO patients with concomitant cICA occlusion (median [IQR], 18 [15-22] versus 16 [12-19], p=0.01), and they tended to have higher groin puncture to recanalization time (minutes [IQR] 74 [42-97] versus 49 [38-78], p=0.09). The ordinal shift analysis did not show any difference in favorable outcomes in two groups in unadjusted analyses or after adjustment for admission NIHSS and groin to recanalization time (common OR=0.78 [95% CI: 0.27-2.29, p=0.66]). Angioplasty was performed in 11 of 19 ELVO patients with concomitant cICA occlusion. Three patients required stent placement. Discussion: Our study indicates that MT can be performed safely and effectively in ELVO patients with concomitant cICA occlusion.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmim Nadime José Frigo ◽  
Hendrick Henrique Fernandes Gramasco ◽  
Igor Oliveira Fonseca ◽  
Mateus Felipe dos Santos ◽  
Rodrigo Bazan ◽  
...  

Context: Stroke is one of the main leaders of death and disability in the world. Currently, mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers is the technique of choice for large vessel occlusion, however, the primary aspiration technique has been proposed as a fast and safe alternative. Case report: J.E.M, male, 57 years old, hypertensive, atrial fibrillation. Started claudication of neurological deficits, with intermittent paresthesia in left upper limb for 2 days. Admitted with NIHSS 2 (nasolabial sulcus erasure and hypoesthesia in LUL), in thrombolysis window, has seen in cerebral and neck angiotomography critical stenosis of the internal carotid artery and in CT scan with perfusion Mismatch volume 72 ml and infinite ratio. Since the patient did not have sufficient criteria for thrombolysis and since the clinical prognosis was unfavorable, a diagnostic arteriography was indicated, which showed ICAR stenosis 90%. The patient proceeded with angioplasty and stenting using the ADPAT technique and mechanical thrombectomy due to occlusion in segment M1 with total recanalization (TICI 3) and NIHSS after and at discharge of 0. Conclusion: The advent of thrombectomy impacts the improvement of functional dependence and the reduction of mortality, especially in stroke with large vessel occlusion, whose treatment with thrombolytic therapy only has a low chance of recanalization.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1879-1882
Author(s):  
Laura Williams ◽  
Maria Helms ◽  
Emily K. Snider ◽  
Brenda Chang ◽  
Sam Singh ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose— A distinguishing feature of our Stroke Network is telestroke nurses who remotely facilitate evaluations. To enable expeditious transfer of large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic stroke patients presenting to nonthrombectomy centers, the telestroke nurses must immediately identify color thresholded computerized tomography perfusion (CTP) patterns consistent with internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) segment 1(M1), and MCA segment 2 (M2) LVO acute ischemic stroke. Methods— We developed a 6-month series of tutorials and tests for 16 telestroke nurses, focusing on CTP pattern recognition consistent with ICA, M1, or M2 LVO acute ischemic stroke. We simultaneously conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of this intervention. Results— Telestroke nurses demonstrated good accuracy in detecting ICA, M1, or M2 LVO during the first 3 months of teaching (83%–94% accurate). This significantly improved during the last 3 months (99%–100%), during which the likelihood of correctly identifying the presence of any one of these LVOs exceeded that of the first 3 months ( P <0.001). There was a higher probability of correctly identifying any CTP pattern as consistent with either an ICA, M1, or M2 occlusion versus other types of occlusions or nonocclusions (odds ratio, 5.22 [95% CI, 3.2–8.5]). Over time, confidence for recognizing CTP patterns consistent with an ICA, M1, or M2 LVO did not differ significantly. Conclusions— A series of tutorials and tests significantly increased the likelihood of telestroke nurses correctly identifying CTP patterns consistent with ICA, M1, or M2 LVOs, with the benefit of these tutorials and test reviews peaking and plateauing at 4 months.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Cirillo ◽  
Daniele Giuseppe Romano ◽  
Gianfranco Vornetti ◽  
Giulia Frauenfelder ◽  
Chiara Tamburrano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Occlusions of internal carotid artery (ICA), whether isolated or in tandem lesions (TL) have a poor response to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. Previous studies ​​have demonstrated the superiority of mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following large vessel occlusion, compared to standard intravenous fibrinolysis. The aim of our study was to describe endovascular treatment (EVT) in AIS due to ICA occlusion, whether isolated or in TL. Methods we assessed the association between 90-day outcome and clinical, demographic, imaging and procedure data in 51 consecutive patients with acute isolated ICA or TL occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). We evaluated baseline NIHSS and mRS, ASPECTS, type of occlusion, stent placement, use of stent retrievers and/or thromboaspiration, duration of the procedure, mTICI, procedural therapy and complications. Results A favorable 90-day outcome (mRS 0–2) was achieved in 34 patients (67%) and was significantly associated with the use of dual antiplatelet therapy after the procedure (p = 0.008), shorter procedure duration (p = 0.031), TICI 2b-3 (p < 0.001) and lack of post-procedural hemorrhagic transformation (p = 0.001). Four patients did not survive, resulting in a mortality rate of 8% Conclusions EVT in the treatment of AIS due to ICA occlusion is safe and effective; mortality rates are in agreement with the current literature. The use of the stent is safe and promotes good angiographic results, as well as therapy with a GpIIb / IIIa inhibitor immediately after stent release which is also associated with better 3-month outcome and good revascularization.


Author(s):  
Michele Romoli ◽  
Maria Giulia Mosconi ◽  
Patrizia Pierini ◽  
Andrea Alberti ◽  
Michele Venti ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Despite intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular treatment (EVT) have been demonstrated effective in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusions, there are still no conclusive data to guide treatment in stroke due to cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. We systematically reviewed available literature to compare IVT, EVT, and bridging (IVT + EVT) and define optimal treatment. Methods Systematic review followed predefined protocol (Open-Science-Framework osf.io/bfykj). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Results were restricted to studies in English, with sample size ≥ 10 and follow-up ≥30 days. Primary outcomes were favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 2), mortality, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage(sICH), defined according to study original report. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for bias assessment. Results Seven records of 930 screened were included in meta-analysis. Quality of studies was low-to-fair in 5, good in 2. IVT (n = 450) did not differ for favorable outcome and mortality compared to EVT (n = 150), though having lower rate of sICH (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8). Compared to IVT, bridging (IVT + EVT) was associated with higher rate of favorable outcome (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.7). Compared to EVT, bridging (IVT + EVT) provided higher rate of favorable outcome (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.4), with a marginally increased risk of sICH (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1–4.4) but similar mortality rates. Conclusions Our systematic review highlights that, in acute ischemic stroke associated with isolated cervical ICA occlusion, bridging (IVT + EVT) might lead to higher rate of functional independence at follow-up, without increasing mortality. The low quality of available studies prevents from drawing firm conclusions, and randomized-controlled clinical trials are critically needed to define optimal treatment in this AIS subgroup.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-432
Author(s):  
Sung E Park ◽  
Dae S Choi ◽  
Hye J Baek ◽  
Kyeong H Ryu ◽  
Ji Y Ha ◽  
...  

Purpose Acute ischemic strokes caused by steno-occlusive lesion of the cervical internal carotid artery are associated with poor clinical outcome. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of emergent carotid artery stenting for the management of these lesions. We compared the clinical outcomes regarding the intracranial lesion, namely tandem occlusions versus isolated cervical internal carotid artery occlusion. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent carotid artery stenting for cervical internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesion between 2011 and 2018. After dividing the patients into two groups according to the presence or absence of intracranial lesions (tandem group and isolated cervical group), we analyzed demographic data, angiographic findings, and clinical outcomes. A modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 was defined as a favorable clinical outcome. Results Of 75 patients, 46 patients (61.3%) had tandem lesions, and the remaining 29 had only cervical internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesion. Successful stenting was performed in all patients with favorable clinical outcomes (64.0%). Successful reperfusion score (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2 b) was 84.0%; tandem group (76.1%) versus isolated cervical group (96.6%) of cases. Mean modified Rankin Scale score at 90-days was 2.09. The rate of favorable clinical outcome showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( p = 0.454). Conclusions Endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to cervical internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesion is a technically feasible and clinically effective intervention regardless of intracranial occlusion. Therefore, we recommend endovascular treatment regardless of the presence of concomitant intracranial artery occlusion for patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by cervical internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesion.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas W Villelli ◽  
Andrew DeNardo ◽  
John Scott ◽  
Daniel Sahlein ◽  
Troy D Payner ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion (LVO) has become a well-established treatment for acute stroke. Management of tandem internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis in thrombectomy patients can be challenging, as no formal treatment algorithm exists for this unique pathology. We present a single institution's experience with the acute treatment of ICA stenosis during or after thrombectomy with either carotid artery stent (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent thrombectomy with tandem ICA stenosis at our institution. All demographic, stroke presentation, stroke treatment, cervical carotid stenosis treatment, and follow-up data were analyzed for these patients. RESULTS From 2015 to 2018, 31 patients with tandem ICA stenosis underwent thrombectomy for LVO. Of these patients, 26 had a CAS placed, 25 of which were done at time of thrombectomy, and 1 placed 5 d after thrombectomy. CAS patients were placed on antiplatelet therapy after stent placement. Of the 25 patients who had CAS placed at time of thrombectomy, 5 patients had a symptomatic ICH, 4 of which did not survive the hospitalization. Two additional CAS patients did not survive hospitalization. There were 5 patients who had a CEA performed during the same hospital stay, ranging from 1 to 10 d post-thrombectomy. Patients who underwent CEA had a smaller area of infarct and a shorter thrombectomy procedure time when compared to the CAS patients, and all CEA patients survived hospitalization, with good outcomes. CONCLUSION CAS placement for tandem ICA stenosis at time of thrombectomy may be less safe than previously published. Early, but not simultaneous, intervention on cervical ICA stenosis after thrombectomy allows for the assessment of infarct volume, patient recovery, and the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage, and thus provides the opportunity to appropriately select patients who would benefit from treatment of the carotid stenosis with either CAS or CEA.


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