Risk of late stroke and survival following carotid endarterectomy procedures for symptomatic patients

1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis A. Turner ◽  
Jay Tracy ◽  
Stephen J. Haines
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Life Table ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postoperative Stroke ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The long-term outcome following carotid endarterectomy for neurological symptoms was analyzed using a retrospective life-table approach in 212 patients who had undergone 243 endarterectomy procedures. The postoperative follow-up period averaged 38.9 ± 2.1 months (mean ± standard error of the mean). The endpoints of stroke and death were evaluated in these patients. Patient groups with the preoperative symptoms of amaurosis fugax, transient ischemic attack, and prior recovered stroke were similar in terms of life-table outcome over the follow-up period. Sixty-two percent of symptomatic patients were alive and free of stroke at 5 years. The late risk of stroke (after 30 days postoperatively) averaged 1.7% per year based on a linear approximation to the hazard at each life-table interval (1.3% per year for ipsilateral stroke). The trend of late stroke risk was clearly downward, however, and could be fitted more accurately by an exponential decay function with a half-life of 33 months. Thus, the risk of stroke following carotid endarterectomy for neurological symptoms was highest in the perioperative period, slowly declined with time, and occurred predominantly ipsilateral to the procedure. The definition of a prospective medical control group remains crucial for a critical analysis of treatment modalities following the onset of premonitory neurological symptoms. In the absence of an adequate control group for this series, the calculated perioperative and postoperative stroke risk from this study was compared to data obtained from the literature on stroke risk in medically treated symptomatic patients. This uncontrolled comparison of treatment modalities suggests the combined perioperative and postoperative stroke risk associated with carotid endarterectomy to be modestly improved over medical treatment alone.

Early versus delayed heparin reversal after carotid endarterectomy in the dog

1983 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 708-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Ercius ◽  
William F. Chandler ◽  
John W. Ford ◽  
William E. Burkel
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Arterial Injury ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systemic Heparinization ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The present study investigates the hematological reaction to arterial injury during the first 10 minutes after endarterectomy in dogs to determine if heparin reversal during this early period predisposes to thrombus formation. Known platelet physiology would predict that heparinization during this early period would be useful to allow a fibrin-free platelet monolayer to form. After systemic heparinization (145 µ/kg) of the experimental animals, 42 endarterectomies were performed. Blood flow was then resumed for specific periods of time, and the vessels were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Group 1 vessels (from the unheparinized control group) revealed mural thrombus formation after 10 minutes of blood flow. Group 2 vessels revealed the progressive formation of a fibrin-free platelet monolayer after 2, 5, or 10 minutes of blood flow resumption under systemic heparinization. Group 3 arteries, harvested at 10 minutes, underwent immediate (within 1 to 2 minutes after resumption of flow) heparin reversal with protamine sulfate, and demonstrated numerous patches of fibrin covering the platelet monolayer. Group 4 arteries, studied after 3 hours of blood flow, also underwent immediate heparin reversal. Two of these seven specimens had clumps of fibrin overlying the platelet monolayer. The Group 5 vessels had heparin reversal at 10 minutes, and demonstrated no fibrin overlying the platelet monolayer after 3 hours of blood flow. This study demonstrates the formation of a fibrin-free platelet monolayer over the endarterectomized vessel wall within 10 minutes of resumption of flow under systemic heparinization. These findings suggest that heparin may safely be reversed following a carotid endarterectomy if one awaits the initial critical 10 minutes of blood flow.

Risk of persistent cranial nerve injury after carotid endarterectomy

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin J. Cunningham ◽  
Rick Bond ◽  
Marc R. Mayberg ◽  
Charles P. Warlow ◽  
Peter M. Rothwell
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cranial Nerve Injury ◽  
Cranial Nerve Injuries ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Cranial nerve injuries, particularly motor nerve injuries, following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be disabling and therefore patients should be given reliable information about the risks of sustaining such injuries. The reported frequency of cranial nerve injury in the published literature ranges from 3 to 23%, and there have been few series in which patients were routinely examined before and after surgery by a neurologist. Methods. The authors investigated the risk of cranial nerve injuries in patients who underwent CEA in the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST), the largest series of patients undergoing CEA in which neurological assessment was performed before and after surgery. Cranial nerve injury was assessed and recorded in every patient and persisting deficits were identified on follow-up examination at 4 months and 1 year after randomization. Risk factors for cranial nerve injury were examined by performing univariate and multivariate analyses. There were 88 motor cranial nerve injuries among the 1739 patients undergoing CEA (5.1% of patients; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1–6.2). In 23 patients, the deficit had resolved by hospital discharge, leaving 3.7% of patients (95% CI 2.9–4.7) with a residual cranial nerve injury: 27 hypoglossal, 17 marginal mandibular, 17 recurrent laryngeal, one accessory nerve, and three Horner syndrome. In only nine patients (0.5%; 95% CI 0.24–0.98) the deficit was still present at the 4-month follow-up examination; however, none of the persisting deficits resolved during the subsequent follow up. Only duration of operation longer than 2 hours was independently associated with an increased risk of cranial nerve injury (hazard ratio 1.56, p < 0.0001). Conclusions. The risk of motor cranial nerve injury persisting beyond hospital discharge after CEA is approximately 4%. The vast majority of neurological deficits resolve over the next few months, however, and permanent deficits are rare. Nevertheless, the risk of cranial nerve injury should be communicated to patients before they undergo surgery.

Carotid artery angioplasty and use of stents in high-risk patients with contralateral occlusions

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 1031-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Mericle ◽  
Stanley H. Kim ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Demetrius K. Lopes ◽  
Ajay K. Wakhloo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Stent Placement ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Minor Stroke ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Symptomatic Carotid ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The risks associated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are increased in the presence of contralateral carotid artery (CA) occlusion. The 30-day stroke and death rate for patients in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) who had contralateral CA occlusion was 14.3%. The authors analyze their experience with angioplasty and/or stent placement in patients with contralateral CA occlusion to determine the safety and efficacy of endoluminal revascularization in this subgroup.Methods. Twenty-six procedures were evaluated in 23 patients with high-grade CA stenosis and contralateral CA occlusion. The first 15 procedures were evaluated retrospectively, and the next 11 prospectively. All patients had severe medical comorbidities and were considered too high risk for CEA, even without considering the contralateral occlusion. Clinical follow-up review was performed an average of 18 months later (median 15 months).Conclusions. The average ipsilateral CA stenosis according to NASCET criteria was 78% preprocedure and 5% postprocedure. There were no changes in neurological or functional outcome immediately postoperatively in any patient. The 30-day postoperative stroke and death rates were zero. However, there was one symptomatic femoral hematoma that resolved without surgery. At follow up, there were three patients who had suffered stroke or death. One patient died secondary to respiratory arrest at 2 months; one died secondary to prostate carcinoma at 12 months; and one patient experienced a minor stroke contralateral to the treated artery at 41 months. Despite the substantial preoperative risk factors in patients in this series, the 30-day stroke and death rate for angioplasty and/or stent placement appears to be lower than that of CEA in patients with contralateral occlusions.

A randomized prospective study of an anterior cervical interbody fusion device with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up results

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Hacker
Keyword(s):  
Interbody Fusion ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Solid Fusion ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Despite variations in technique, inherent problems persist with current approaches to anterior cervical fusion. This study was performed to determine whether anterior cervical fusion performed using an investigational device was safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disorders and whether this device offered advantages over current techniques. Methods. Fifty-four patients with radiculopathy with or without mild myelopathy due to one- or two-level cervical degenerative disc disease were randomized as part of a Food and Drug Administration device study. Following microsurgical discectomy, the control group was treated with iliac crest graft fusion; the experimental study group underwent insertion of an interspace cage and placement of a local autograft. All patients received postoperative follow-up care for at least 2 years. Good or excellent results were found in approximately 97% of the experimental group and 88% of the control group. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients who underwent one-level cage placement, and a solid fusion at one or both levels was achieved in over 90% of both groups. Chronic donor site pain was reported by 31% of the control group. Conclusions. In this study, the use of an interbody fusion cage avoided donor site morbidity and placement of autograft achieved a high rate of good or excellent results. Interbody fusion cages appear safe and effective, and their use helps to avoid some of the inherent problems in performing current anterior cervical fusion techniques.

Forestier disease associated with a retroodontoid mass causing cervicomedullary compression

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naresh P. Patel ◽  
Neill M. Wright ◽  
William W. Choi ◽  
Duncan Q. McBride ◽  
J. Patrick Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Posterior Fusion ◽  
Occipitocervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Neurological Improvement ◽  
Forestier Disease ◽  
Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Forestier Disease (FD) is a progressive skeletal disorder affecting predominantly older men. It is also known as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and is characterized by massive anterior longitudinal ligament calcification that forms a bridge on the anterior border of the thoracic and subaxial cervical spine. To the authors' knowledge, retroodontoid masses associated with FD have not been described. Methods. Five patients with FD and multilevel subaxial cervical fusion were treated for retroodontoid masses and cervicomedullary junction (CMJ) compression. There were four men and one woman (mean age 73 years, range 54–86 years). All patients suffered progressive neurological symptoms resulting from anterior compression of the CMJ. Four patients underwent combined transoral resection of the ligamentous mass followed by an occipitocervical fusion procedure. One patient with circumferential CMJ compression underwent a posterior decompression and occipitocervical fusion. Histopathological examination of the mass showed hypertrophic degenerative fibrocartilage. Early postoperative neurological improvement was noted in all patients. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 19 months. At the end of the follow-up period, four patients experienced neurological improvement. One patient died 3 weeks postsurgery of pulmonary complications. Conclusions. The osseous elements of the occipitoatlantoaxial complex are not directly affected by FD. The ligamentous structures of the odontoid process, however, are exposed to significantly altered biomechanics resulting from fusion of the subaxial cervical spine associated with FD. Stress-induced compensatory ligamentous hypertrophic changes at the craniovertebral junction cause CMJ compression and subsequent neurological deterioration. This previously undescribed entity should be considered in patients with FD or DISH who present with progressive quadriparesis. Transoral decompression and posterior fusion are often needed in patients with large masses and severe progressive neurological deficits. Selected patients with smaller masses and milder neurological symptoms may be treated with posterior fusion alone.

Mechanisms of intracerebral hemorrhage after carotid endarterectomy

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 964-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert D. Henderson ◽  
Thanh G. Phan ◽  
David G. Piepgras ◽  
Eelco F. M. Wijdicks
Keyword(s):  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unusual Complication ◽  
Ischemic Event ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cerebral Ischemic ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an uncommon complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and carries a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Traditionally, attention has been focused on the cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS) as the leading cause of ICH after CEA. Other mechanisms, such as a perioperative cerebral ischemic event, cerebral infarction, and use of postoperative anticoagulation therapy, may also be important. Methods. The authors performed a retrospective case control study to identify factors leading to ICH after CEA. Records of CEAs performed over the past 10 years at the Mayo Clinic were searched for occurrences of ICH within 30 days of the procedure. The relationship of ICH to known cerebrovascular risk factors, perioperative electroencephalographic studies, and 133Xe cerebral blood flow (CBF) studies was compared with that in a control group. Hyperperfusion was defined as hypertension with symptoms of either severe headache, seizures, or confusion, or a doubling of intraoperative CBF values. The clinical history and imaging of ischemic events and the ICH were carefully reviewed to determine the possible underlying mechanism(s). Twelve (0.4%) of 2747 patients who underwent CEAs suffered a postoperative ICH. A doubling of CBF values was found in five of eight cases in which CBF studies were performed, and occurred more commonly in the patients with ICH than in controls. Clinical symptoms of the HPS were less common (three cases). A perioperative cerebral ischemic event (four cases) and anticoagulation therapy (six cases) were other contributors to a subsequent ICH. Seven of the 12 patients with ICHs died and five achieved a moderate outcome. Conclusions. An ICH following CEA is an unusual complication that occurs in the setting of hyperperfusion, perioperative cerebral ischemia, anticoagulation therapy, or multiple mechanisms. Identification of CBF doubling at surgery may assist in identifying patients at risk for ICH following CEA.

Spinal meningiomas in patients younger than 50 years of age: a 21-year experience

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol ◽  
Ofer M. Zikel ◽  
Cody A. Koch ◽  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
William E. Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Mayo Clinic ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spinal Meningiomas ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Worse Prognosis ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Spinal meningiomas occur most frequently in older patients. They are well-circumscribed and slow-growing tumors that are associated with good patient outcomes following surgery. Spinal meningiomas occurring in younger patients may be more aggressive, with a worse prognosis. The authors present their 21-year experience with spinal meningiomas in patients younger than 50 years of age. Methods. The authors reviewed data obtained in 40 patients (age < 50 years) treated at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, during the past 21 years; in all cases the lesions were histologically confirmed spinal meningiomas. Five men (12.5%) and 35 women (87.5%) (mean age 34.5 ± 10.9 years) underwent 52 operations for 41 tumors. The mean follow-up duration was 82 ± 93 months (range 0–445 months). The data obtained in these patients were compared with those derived from a random control cohort of 40 patients older than age 50 years in whom spinal meningiomas were resected at the Mayo Clinic during a similar period. In this cohort, there were 33 women and seven men whose mean age was 67.1 ± 9.5 years. The mean follow-up duration for the older group was 88 ± 72.3 months (range 18–309 months). Compared with the random cohort of older patients, younger patients there tended to have more tumors located in the cervical spine (39%) as well as a greater number of predisposing factors such as neurofibromatosis Type 2, radiation exposure, or trauma. Nine (22%) of the patients younger than 50 years of age required reoperation for residual or recurrent tumor compared with two (5%) in the older patient control group. The overall mortality rate at the completion of the study for the younger patients was 10%. Conclusions. Spinal meningiomas in younger patients have a worse prognosis than similar tumors in older patients.

Postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion associated with impaired cognitive function in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuniaki Ogasawara ◽  
Keiko Yamadate ◽  
Masakazu Kobayashi ◽  
Hidehiko Endo ◽  
Takeshi Fukuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hyperperfusion Syndrome ◽  
Cerebral Hyperperfusion ◽  
Postoperative Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Cognitive impairment occurs in 20 to 30% of patients following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion is associated with impairment of cognitive function in patients undergoing that procedure. Methods. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using single-photon emission computerized tomography scanning before and immediately after CEA and on the 3rd postoperative day in 92 patients with ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis of 70% or greater. Hyperperfusion post-CEA was defined as a 100% increase or greater in CBF compared with preoperative values. Neuropsychological testing was also performed preoperatively and at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up examinations. At the 1-month postoperative neuropsychological assessment, 11 patients (12%) displayed evidence of cognitive impairment. In addition, the incidence of postoperative cognitive impairment in patients with post-CEA hyperperfusion (seven [58%] of 12 patients) was significantly higher than that in patients without post-CEA hyperperfusion (four [5%] of 80 patients; p < 0.0001). A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that post-CEA hyperperfusion was the only significant independent predictor of postoperative cognitive impairment. Of the seven patients in whom post-CEA hyperperfusion and cognitive impairment were identified 1 month postoperatively, four (including three patients with hyperperfusion syndrome) remained cognitively impaired at the 3- and 6-month follow-up examinations. Conclusions. Postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion is associated with impairment of cognitive function in patients undergoing CEA. Furthermore, the development of hyperperfusion syndrome is associated with the persistence of postoperative cognitive impairment.

Evaluation of gamma thalamotomy for parkinsonian and other tremors: survival of neurons adjacent to the thalamic lesion after gamma thalamotomy

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Ohye ◽  
Tohru Shibazaki ◽  
Junji Ishihara ◽  
Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Reaction ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Thalamic Lesion ◽  
Mr Images ◽  
Unsatisfactory Result ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rhythmic Discharge ◽  
Latent Interval ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The effects of gamma thalamotomy for parkinsonian and other kinds of tremor were evaluated. Methods. Thirty-six thalamotomies were performed in 31 patients by using a 4-mm collimator. The maximum dose was 150 Gy in the initial six cases, which was reduced to 130 Gy thereafter. The longest follow-up period was 6 years. The target was determined on T2-weighted and proton magnetic resonance (MR) images. The point chosen was in the lateral-most part of the thalamic ventralis intermedius nucleus. This is in keeping with open thalamotomy as practiced at the authors' institution. In 15 cases, gamma thalamotomy was the first surgical procedure. In other cases, previous therapeutic or vascular lesions were visible to facilitate targeting. Two types of tissue reaction were onserved on MR imaging: a simple oval shape and a complex irregular shape. Neither of these changes affected the clinical course. In the majority of cases, the tremor subsided after a latent interval of approximately 1 year after irradiation. The earliest response was demonstrated at 3 months. In five cases the tremor remained. In four of these cases, a second radiation session was administered. One of these four patients as well as another patient with an unsatisfactory result underwent open thalamotomy with microrecording. In both cases, depth recording adjacent to the necrotic area revealed normal neuronal activity, including the rhythmic discharge of tremor. Minor coagulation was performed and resulted in immediate and complete arrest of the remaining tremor. Conclusions. Gamma thalamotomy for Parkinson's disease seems to be an alternative useful method in selected cases.

Gamma knife radiosurgery as a single treatment modality for large cerebral arteriovenous malformations

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hung-Chi Pan ◽  
Wan-Yuo Guo ◽  
Wen-Yuh Chung ◽  
Cheng-Ying Shiau ◽  
Yue-Cune Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Obliteration Rate ◽  
Complete Obliteration ◽  
Fine Print

Object. A consecutive series of 240 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) between March 1993 and March 1999 was evaluated to assess the efficacy and safety of radiosurgery for cerebral AVMs larger than 10 cm3 in volume. Methods. Seventy-six patients (32%) had AVM nidus volumes of more than 10 cm3. During radiosurgery, targeting and delineation of AVM nidi were based on integrated stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and x-ray angiography. The radiation treatment was performed using multiple small isocenters to improve conformity of the treatment volume. The mean dose inside the nidus was kept between 20 Gy and 24 Gy. The margin dose ranged between 15 to 18 Gy placed at the 55 to 60% isodose centers. Follow up ranged from 12 to 73 months. There was complete obliteration in 24 patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3 and in 91 patients with an AVM volume of less than 10 cm3. The latency for complete obliteration in larger-volume AVMs was significantly longer. In Kaplan—Meier analysis, the complete obliteration rate in 40 months was 77% in AVMs with volumes between 10 to 15 cm3, as compared with 25% for AVMs with a volume of more than 15 cm3. In the latter, the obliteration rate had increased to 58% at 50 months. The follow-up MR images revealed that large-volume AVMs had higher incidences of postradiosurgical edema, petechiae, and hemorrhage. The bleeding rate before cure was 9.2% (seven of 76) for AVMs with a volume exceeding 10 cm3, and 1.8% (three of 164) for AVMs with a volume less than 10 cm3. Although focal edema was more frequently found in large AVMs, most of the cases were reversible. Permanent neurological complications were found in 3.9% (three of 76) of the patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3, 3.8% (three of 80) of those with AVM volume of 3 to 10 cm3, and 2.4% (two of 84) of those with an AVM volume less than 3 cm3. These differences in complications rate were not significant. Conclusions. Recent improvement of radiosurgery in conjunction with stereotactic MR targeting and multiplanar dose planning has permitted the treatment of larger AVMs. It is suggested that gamma knife radiosurgery is effective for treating AVMs as large as 30 cm3 in volume with an acceptable risk.

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