Frequency of significant carotid artery disease on carotid angiography in patients with left main stem coronary artery disease.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of significant carotid artery disease on carotid angiography in patients presenting with left main stem coronary artery disease. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Cardiology, Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad. Period: October 2016 to April 2017. Material & Methods: 140 patients were included in this study. To diagnose carotid artery disease, carotid angiography was performed. Imaging was performed while subjects were lying in a supine position. Arterial access gained through femoral artery and using Headhunter carotid angiography catheter (6F). Lateral, AP and ipsilateral oblique views was obtained. Results: Age ranges between 40-75 years with mean age of 53.91±7.05 years. There were 94 (67.2%) male patients while remaining 46 patients (32.8%) were female. Carotid artery disease was found in 54 patients (38.6%). Stratification with regard to gender and age was carried out. Conclusion: In conclusion, frequency of carotid artery disease in patients with left main stem coronary artery disease is high in our population. Therefore, screening of carotid artery disease should be recommended in patients with CAD, especially in older patients with multivessel CAD.

Schwannoma de nervio vago cervical

Schwannomas of the parapharyngeal space are benign tumors that arise from the peripheral nerve sheaths and represent 0.09% of all head and neck tumors. Those originating from the vagus nerve are rarer. The diagnosis represents a challenge due to the different conditions encountered in the lateral neck. They usually present as asymptomatic lateral neck masses. An asymptomatic 42-year-old male patient sought medical advice. He underwent computed tomography scan and carotid angiography. The patient underwent complete resection and developed postoperative vocal cord paralysis. Dysphonia

Birth and Growth of Neuroimaging and Vascular Intervention at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram—Part I

This article is a historical narrative that traces the growth of neuroradiology and interventional radiology at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. From its humble origins in the pre-CT scan era of the mid and late 1970s, when invasive diagnostic procedures such as percutaneous carotid angiography, myelography, pneumoencephalography (PEG) and ventriculography were the mainstay of neuroimaging, the authors take the reader through their gradual foray into catheter four-vessel angiography and later free-flow embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and finally to the use of microcatheters for selective embolization procedures. The equipment used in those early years—fluoroscopic tilting table, roll-film cameras, serial changers, PEG tables—provide an insight to an era with all its challenges before the advent of digital imaging. The authors’ efforts to indigenize some of the hardware such as metallic stents and embolization material such as hydrogel spheres and lyophilized dura are also highlighted. The development of peripheral vascular intervention alongside neuroradiology is also highlighted. The authors pay tribute to an early pioneer of neuroradiology in India, Prof. Mahadevan Pillai, who was a guiding light to them during those nascent years.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the cavernous carotid: a lethal complication of craniofacial trauma

Pseudoaneurysm of the cavernous carotid artery is a rare, yet life-threatening complication of craniofacial trauma. It may well present itself with delayed massive epistaxis up to several months after the initial insult. Early recognition and prompt treatment are the key in management and a high index of clinical suspicion is always required. In this article, we report a patient with a penetrating head injury who developed delayed epistaxis along with unilateral abducent and partial oculomotor palsy. Urgent diagnostic carotid angiography was undertaken, followed by endovascular coiling that resulted in no recurrence for a year of follow-up.

Increased Serum CRP-Albumin Ratio Is Independently Associated With Severity of Carotid Artery Stenosis

Carotid artery stenosis (CAS), mainly caused by carotid atherosclerosis, is related to ischemic stroke. We investigated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with increased severity of carotid stenosis in patients undergoing carotid angiography. A total of 269 patients who were undergoing carotid angiography were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups with respect to the severe CAS: group 1 (stenosis < 70%, n = 189) or group II (stenosis ≥ 70%, n = 80). C-reactive protein to albumin ratio was higher in group II compared to group I (0.56 ± 0.25 vs 0.14 ± 0.01, P < .001). The CAR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.051, 95%CI: 1.027-1.076, P < .001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and total cholesterol levels were independent predictors of severe CAS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) for the CAR to predict severe CAS was 0.798 (95% CI: 0.741-0.854, P < .001). C-reactive to protein albumin ratio was an independent risk factor of severe CAS. Therefore, CAR might be considered a potential index in the severity of carotid artery disease.

Abstract WP181: Preprocedual Carotid Plaque Characterization by Duplex Ultrasonography as a Predictor of in-Stent Intimal Restenosis 6 months After Carotid Stenting

Background and Purpose: In-stent intimal restenosis (ISR) caused by neo-intimal hyperplasia generally occurs <24 months after carotid stenting (CAS). Although the real clinical impact of ISR are still unclear, several studies suggested the development of ISR significantly correlated with ipsilateral stroke and death. Also differences in the rate of ISR between open-cell and closed-cell stents have yet to be well evaluated. We aimed to investigate predictors of ISR 6 months after CAS. Methods: We examined 133 patients (mean age of 72.1±8.4 years old) received CAS in a single hospital during 2014 and 2018. Preoperative carotid plaque evaluation was performed by carotid angiography, duplex carotid ultrasonography (CUS), and black-blood carotid artery MRI (BB-MRI). Mean stenosis rate (NASCET) was 71.0±12.3% (44%-100%). Follow-up carotid angiography was performed six months after CAS in all patients according to a predefined protocol. ISR was defined as in-stent intimal hyperplasia more than 50% stenosis based on the NASCET method. Selection of stent type was at the discretion of the treating physician. Predictors of ISR were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Follow-up angiography demonstrated ISR in 33 patients (24.8%). In 44 patients, more than 2 stents were deployed. Univariate analyses demonstrated hypoechoic plaque, 1 mobile plaque with jerry fish sign, complete occlusive or pseudo occlusive lesion, closed-cell stent are significantly associated with ISR (>50%), however no association was observed in traditional risk factors, MRI plaque characterization, and implantation of multiple stents. Multivariate analysis demonstrated low echoic plaque in preoperative CUS (OR4.67; 95%CI, 1.85-11.78) and closed-cell stent (OR 0.378; 95%CI, 0.15-0.97) as significant predictors of ISR. Conclusions: Preprocedual plaque characterization by CUS but not MRI appeared to be useful to predict ISR 6 months after CAS even after adjustment of stent type.

A Tertiary Cardiology Unit Perspective for Carotid Lesions: Which Lesion and When Intervention

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is one of the most common cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world, while atherosclerosis is the most common cause of its etiology. For this patients carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting (CAS) are two treatment modalities. In our study, carotid angiography in a tertiary center screened and treatment experiences, methods will present. METHODS: Carotid angiography performed in our hospital between June 2006 and 2018 in a single tertiary cardiology clinic was retrospectively screened and patients were included in the study including CAS, CAE and medical follow-up. The patient's clinical features and procedure-related data were obtained by scanning the patient files. RESULTS: A total of 905 carotid angiography were screened. Critical carotid artery lesions were detected in 476 patients. 49 patients were classified as CAS, 192 patients as CEA, and 235 as medical group. The mean age of the included patients was 66.08±10.53 and the patient population was 74.2% male. The most common comorbidity was coronary artery disease (81.6%) and arterial hypertension (63.3%). The most common symptom was stroke (73.3%). In the CAS group, the rate of stroke was 6.1% in the follow-up period, the rate of stroke in the medical follow-up group was 5.5%, and in the CEA group, the stroke rate was 3.6%. There was a 3.1% mortality in the CEA group. The procedure was completed without any complication in all CAS patients. The mean follow-up period was 1034 days. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although CEA is still a class 1 indication despite the improvements in stent and protection devices, CAS can successfully perform in our center as well as in experienced centers.

Contrast-enhanced carotid ultrasonography and MRI plaque imaging to identify patients developing in-stent intimal hyperplasia after carotid artery stenting

Aim: In-stent intimal hyperplasia (ISH) observed after carotid artery stenting (CAS) may lead to in-stent restenosis. We aimed to investigate whether contrast-enhanced carotid ultrasonography (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plaque imaging prior to CAS are predictive for ISH at 6 months after CAS.Material and method: A total of 14 patients (13 men, 1 woman; mean age, 74.2 years) were prospectively enrolled. CEUS and MRI plaque imaging were performed before CAS. ISH was diagnosed by carotid angiography at 6 months after CAS. Patients were divided into two groups based on the thicknessof ISH and age, risk factors, enhancement in CEUS, MRI plaque imaging and number of replaced stents were compared between groups.Results: Carotid angiography at 6 months after CAS revealed ISH in 10 patients. Plaque enhancement on CEUS was observed in 6 patients, all of whom showed ISH. A significant association was seen between plaque enhancement on CEUS and development of ISH (χ2 test, CEUS enhancement (+) 100% vs. CEUS enhancement (-) 50% p=0.040). Carotid plaques in 12 patients were diagnosed as unstable by MRI plaque imaging. Presence of ISH was significantly associated with unstable plaque diagnosed by MRI plaque imaging (χ2 test, unstable 83% vs. stable 0%; p=0.016).Conclusion: Carotid plaque MRI and CEUS may be useful to predict ISH after CAS.

Systematic review of preoperative carotid duplex ultrasound compared with computed tomography carotid angiography for carotid endarterectomy

Introduction We reviewed the literature for preoperative computed tomography carotid angiography and/or carotid duplex to determine their respective sensitivity and specificity in assessing the degree of carotid stenosis. We aimed to identify whether one imaging modality can accurately identify critical stenosis in patients presenting with transient ischaemic attack or symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident requiring carotid endarterectomy. Methods Systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, all Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ACP Journal club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Clinical Answers, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Methodology Register, Health Technology Assessment and NHS Economic Evaluation Database) for primary studies relating to computed tomography carotid angiography (CTA) and/or carotid duplex ultrasound (CDU). Studies included were published between 1990 and 2018 and focused on practice in the UK, Europe and North America. Results The sensitivity and specificity of CTA and CDU are comparable. CDU is safe and readily available in the clinical environment hence its use in the initial preoperative assessment of carotid stenosis. CDU is an adequate imaging modality for determining stenosis greater than 70%; sensitivity and specificity are improved when the criteria for determining greater than 70% stenosis are adjusted. Vascular laboratories opting to use duplex as their sole imaging modality should assess the sensitivity and specificity of their own duplex procedure before altering practice to preoperative single imaging for patients. Conclusions The sensitivity and specificity of CTA (90.6% and 93%, respectively) and CDU (92.3% and 89%, respectively) are comparable. Both are dependent on criteria used in vascular laboratories. CDU sensitivity and specificity was improved to 98.7% and 94.1%, respectively, where peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity were assessed. Either modality can be used to determine greater than 70% stenosis, although a secondary imaging modality may be required for cases of greater than 50% stenosis.