Computer Modeling of Carotid Endarterectomy With the Different Shape Patches and Prediction of the Atherosclerotic

Objective: The article describes a method for constructing geometric models of the carotid bifurcation and computer simulation of endarterectomy surgery with the patches of various configurations. The purpose of this work is to identify the areas of the greatest risk of restenosis in the constructed models and to conduct a comparative analysis of risk factors when using the patches of different widths and shapes. Methods: The method is demonstrated on a reconstructed model of a healthy vessel. Its building is based on a preoperative computed tomography study of a particular patient's affected vessel. The flow in the vessel is simulated by computational fluid dynamics using data from the patient's ultrasound Doppler velocimetry. Risk factors are assessed through the hemodynamic indices on the vessel wall associated with Wall Shear Stress. Results: The distribution of risk zones in the healthy vessel, presumably leading to its observed lesion (plaque), is analyzed. Comparative evaluation of 10 various patches implantation results is carried out and the optimal variant is determined. The proposed method can be used to predict the hemodynamic results of surgery using patches of various sizes and shapes.

Revisiting carotid endarterectomy: Neobulb technique using external carotid artery as a patch

Objectives This study describes an alternative carotid bifurcation endarterectomy technique in which the external carotid artery is used as a suture patch. Methods Charts of ten patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis that were treated using the neobulb technique between 2002 and 2019 were reviewed. Results No major surgical adverse event was observed in the postoperative assessments. No postoperative common or internal carotid stenosis was observed in the mid- or long-term follow-up. Conclusions The neobulb technique allows carotid endarterectomy closure without a synthetic or venous patch, using the external carotid artery as an autologous patch, while preserving distal flow into the external carotid artery branches.

Bilateral Paragangliomas in the Setting of Autonomic Dysfunction: A Case Report

In 2018, a 59-year-old female patient presented with hoarseness in her voice, headache, intermittent pain in her right side, difficulty of right arm movement, left side neck pain, difficulty controlling hypertension of unknown etiology, and a large mass on the upper left side of her neck with a smaller mass on the right side. MRI of the neck revealed masses at each carotid bifurcation. These were determined to be bilateral paragangliomas. Paragangliomas are rare tumors, and bilateral ones tremendously so. The patient underwent radiation over 2 years, resulting in the successful shrinking and stabilization of both masses. Since completing radiation, the patient reported improvement in her memory, and her blood pressure has stabilized with medication.

A cadaveric study of relationship of external carotid artery with reference to adjacent anatomical landmarks

Evaluation of carotid bifurcation level and relationship of External Carotid Artery (ECA) with reference to adjacent anatomical landmarks is important in planning various surgical and radiological procedures related to the carotid arteries. The aim was to study the relationship of External Carotid Artery with reference to Adjacent Anatomical landmarks in cadavers. 60 cadavers - 52 male and 8 female embalmed with 10% formalin were dissected over the period of two years for this study. The distance between the origin and the termination of ECA was found to be in the range of 25–70 mm on the right side and in the range of 25–68 mm on the left side. The distance between the origin of ECA and the carotid tubercle was found to be in the range of 23–50 mm on the right side and in the range of 22–48 mm on the left side. The distance between the origin of ECA and the angle of the mandible was found to be in the range of 18–30 mm on the right side and in the range of 20–32 mm on the left side. The anatomical knowledge of relationship of External Carotid Artery with reference to adjacent anatomical landmarks is helpful for vascular surgeons to plan surgeries and prevent complications during various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Quantitative Prediction of the Location of Carotid Bifurcation and Neurovascular Structures in the Carotid Region: A Cross-Sectional Cadaveric Study

Introduction. The carotid region is encountered in vascular and neurological surgery and carries a potential for vascular and cranial nerve trauma. The carotid bifurcation is an especially important landmark and difficult to predict based on currently established landmarks. This study is a detailed analysis of the carotid region and proposes a novel methodology to predict the height of the bifurcation. Materials and Methods. Superficial and deep dissections were performed on the anterior triangle of the neck to expose the carotid region in twenty-one formalin-fixed donor cadavers. Musculoskeletal and neurovascular structures were assessed in relation to the carotid bifurcation and the medial border of the clavicle (MBC). Results. The carotid bifurcation occurred, on average, 11.4 mm higher on the left ( p < 0.001 ; 95% CI: 9.28, 13.54). The superior thyroid artery ( p < 0.001 ), facial vein ( p < 0.001 ), and cranial nerve XII ( p < 0.001 ) were all more distal on the left side when measured from the MBC while the angle of the mandible and stylohyoid muscle remained symmetric. Left- and right-sided vascular structures were symmetric when measured from the carotid bifurcation. Conclusions. Neurovascular structures within the carotid region are likely to be anatomically superior on the left side while vessels are likely to remain symmetric in relation to the carotid bifurcation. When measured from the MBC, the bifurcation height can be predicted by multiplying the distance between the MBC and mastoid process by 0.65 (right side) or 0.74 (left side). This novel methodological estimation may be easily learned and directly implemented in clinical practice.

Hemodynamic Impact of Stenting on Carotid Bifurcation: A Potential Role of the Stented Segment and External Carotid Artery

Carotid stenting near the bifurcation carina is associated with adverse events, especially in-stent restenosis, thrombosis, and side branch occlusion in clinical data. This study is aimed at determining the potential biomechanical mechanisms for these adverse events after carotid stenting. The patient-specific carotid models were constructed with different stenting scenarios to study the flow distribution and hemodynamic parameters, such as wall shear stress (WSS), flow velocity, relative residence time (RRT), and oscillating shear index (OSI) in the carotid bifurcation. The results suggested that the existing stents surely reduced blood flow to the external carotid artery (ECA) but enhanced local flow disturbance both in ECA and stented internal carotid artery (ICA), and the inner posterior wall of the stented ICA and the outer posterior wall of ECA might endure a relatively low level of WSS and remarkably elevated OSI and RRT. In addition, the implanted stent leads to more ECA adverse flow than ICA after stenting. While disturbed flow near the strut increased as stent length increased, blood flow and areas of local flow disturbance in ECA slightly decreased as stent length increased. In conclusion, the results revealed that ECA might be in relatively high levels of abnormal local hemodynamics after stenting, followed by stented ICA, leading to potential adverse events after intervention.

Diameter Reduction Determined Through Carotid Ultrasound Associated With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality: A Single‐Center Experience of 38 201 Consecutive Patients in Taiwan

Background Few studies have evaluated the prognostic significance of diameter‐based carotid sonographic measurements for mortality. We investigated whether a reduction in diameter of different carotid anatomical segments is associated with cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in a hospital‐based cohort with universal health care. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 38 201 patients who underwent carotid duplex ultrasound at a medical center in Taiwan. Carotid sonographic parameters were the diameter reduction percentage in carotid bifurcation, the internal carotid artery, the common carotid artery, and the external carotid artery and the overall carotid atherosclerotic burden score, determined by summing the scores from all segments. The vital status was ascertained by linking data to National Death Registry until 2017. During a median follow‐up of 4.2 years, 5644 participants died, with 1719 deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases. The multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs; 95% CIs) for cardiovascular mortality were 1.33 (1.16‒1.53), 1.58 (1.361.84), and 1.89 (1.58, 2.26) for participants with 30% to <40%, 40% to <50%, and ≥50% reduction in carotid bifurcation diameter, respectively, compared with participants with <30% diameter reduction ( P for trend <0.001). The corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for all‐cause mortality were 1.25 (1.16‒1.34), 1.42 (1.31‒1.54), and 1.60 (1.45‒1.77), respectively. Diameter reduction at other carotid sites and the carotid atherosclerotic burden score exhibited the same dose–response relationship. Conclusions This study suggests that reduction in carotid artery diameter, which can be determined through routinely available sonography, is an independent risk factor for all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality.