Periprocedural complications and risk factors after carotid stenting in patients with concomitant coronary artery disease

Backgrounds and purpose: To analyse the periprocedural CAS complications in patients with concomitant coronary disease. Material and methods: A prospective study analysed the frequency and characteristics of periprocedural complications after CAS in 329 patients, of whom 62.2% had symptomatic carotid stenosis > 50% and 37.8% had asymptomatic > 70%. The mean age was 70.2 (45-88) years, male/female ratio – 253/76. The degree of carotid stenosis was assessed angiographically according to NASCET criteria and was stratified by a newly proposed carotid score in three risk groups. Distal embolic protection was used in all patients. Results: Periprocedural complications were observed in 25/349 CAS interventions: TIA – 4.9%, major stroke – 0.6%, minor stroke – 1.4%, hyperperfusion syndrome – 0.3%. No MI and death were registered. Out of more than 20 factors analysed, previous MI (χ2 = 7,707; p = 0.021) and stroke (χ2 = 9,835, p = 0.043), “slow flow” (χ2 = 3.752; p = 0.001), residual stenosis> 20% (χ2 = 13.752; p = 0.001), radiation time (F = 13.323; p = 0.000), the amount of contrast used (F = 5.297; p = 0.006), contrast- induced OBN (χ2 = 25.845; p = 0.000), females with CKD (χ2 = 8.681; p = 0.013) or with a high carotid score (χ2 = 7.329; p = 0.026) were found to be predictors of complications. Conclusion: CAS is a safe procedure with low risk of MI and death in patients with concomitant coronary disease.

Survival and prognostic factors in patients after carotid stenting and coronary revascularization

Aim: To analyze the prognostic factors and create a model for survival in patients after interventional carotid revascularization. Methods: In 329 patients after carotid artery stenting (CAS), the median (MS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated for a follow-up period of 2-101 months. All patients underwent coronary angiography prior to carotid stenting and, if indicated, coronary revascularization. 4 groups of factors were analyzed: carotid disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), underlying cardiac pathology and concomitant diseases. Results: MS in all patients was 86 months, OS at 1, 3, 5, and 9 years was – 94%, 85%, 73%, and 51% respectively. Event free survival was 85 months. Log Rank- Mantel-Cox analysis demonstrated significantly reduced MS in 21 tested factors, most of them related to CAD. Two-step multifactorial Cox regression analysis defined only 7 of them as independent prognostic factors for the survival of patients after CAS: left main stenosis, complete revascularization, late myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, age over 70 years, valvular disease and carotid score. Conclusion: Survival of patients after CAS is limited mainly by CAD and underlying cardiac pathology. Staged revascularization treatment strategy may improve the prognosis and survival of patients with both carotid and coronary disease.

Delayed Thrombus on Carotid Web: Case Report With Escalation of Treatment

Carotid artery web is an underrecognized source and is found in about 1-2% of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Although, first described four decades ago, optimal therapy for carotid web is not yet known. Carotid stenting and endarterectomy are increasingly used for carotid web treatment, given its definitive treatment and avoiding the complications associated with anticoagulation. The case reported here is of an ischemic stroke secondary to a mobile thrombus on a carotid web evident on CT angiography and successful definitive treatment with delayed carotid wall stent placement. In young patients who have a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, the carotid web should be on the differential and adequate neuroimaging with either CTA or DSA should be pursued.

In-Hospital Outcomes of Urgent, Early, or Late Revascularization for Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

Background and Purpose: Advancements in carotid revascularization have produced promising outcomes in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. However, the optimal timing of revascularization procedures after symptomatic presentation remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare in-hospital outcomes of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), transfemoral carotid stenting (TFCAS), or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed within different time intervals after most recent symptoms. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of United States patients in the vascular quality initiative. All carotid revascularizations performed for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis between September 2016 and November 2019 were included. Procedures were categorized as urgent (0–2 days after most recent symptom), early (3–14 days), or late (15–180 days). The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital stroke and death. Secondary outcomes include in-hospital stroke, death, and transient ischemic attacks. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes. Results: A total of 18 643 revascularizations were included: 2006 (10.8%) urgent, 7423 (39.8%) early, and 9214 (49.42%) late. Patients with TFCAS had the highest rates of stroke/death at all timing cohorts (urgent: 4.0% CEA, 6.9% TFCAS, 6.5% TCAR, P =0.018; early: 2.5% CEA, 3.8% TFCAS, 2.9% TCAR, P =0.054; late: 1.6% CEA, 2.8% TFCAS, 2.3% TCAR, P =0.003). TFCAS also had increased odds of in-hospital stroke/death compared with CEA in all 3 groups (urgent adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.7 [95% CI, 1.0–2.9] P =0.03; early aOR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1–2.4] P =0.01; and late aOR, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.2–3.0] P =0.01). TCAR and CEA had comparable odds of in-hospital stroke/death in all 3 groups (urgent aOR, 1.9 [95% CI, 0.9–4], P =0.10), (early aOR, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.7–1.7], P =0.66), (late aOR, 1.5 [95% CI, 0.9–2.3], P =0.08). Conclusions: CEA remains the safest method of revascularization within the urgent period. Among revascularization performed outside of the 48 hours, TCAR and CEA have comparable outcomes.

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.

Stenting of ultraembolic hazardous carotid stenotic lesions using the technique of triple antiembolic protection

Objective ‒ to develop a technique of triple antiembolic protection with the simultaneous use of proximal antiembolic protection systems, distal antiembolic filters and two-layer micromesh carotid stents for carotid stenting of ultraembolic hazardous carotid stenosis. Evaluate its effectiveness and safety.Materials and methods. Since 2016, 23 carotid stenting of ultraembolic hazardous carotid stenoses has been performed using the technique of triple antiembolic protection (proximal antiembolic protection systems, distal antiembolic filters and two-layer micromesh carotid stents). All patients had symptomic stenosis: transient ischemic attacks in a certain carotid pool (n = 7), ischemic strokes (n = 16). The age of patients was from 57 to 84 years. Men prevailed among patients (n = 15). Postoperative follow-up included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain on the first or second day after surgery with T2*, FLAIR and DWI sequences to determine the presence of «fresh» embolic ischemic foci and to exclude hemorrhagic complications. After 6 months, a control clinical examination, computed tomography or MRI of the brain, ultrasound angioscanning of the main arteries of the head were performed.Results. In all patients the patency of the carotid arteries was completely restored, and in the early postoperative period, no clinical signs of recurrent ischemic brain damage were detected in any of the cases. No signs of plaque prolapse through the stent were detected in any case. A significant amount of atheromatous debris was in 11 cases when aspirated on an external filter. In 3 cases, emboli were also detected in the distal protection filter. This fact indicates that the joint use of distal and proximal antiembolic systems reliably protects against the risk of embolism in such cases. According to MRI on the 1st or 2nd day there were no signs of «fresh» subclinical embolic ischemic foci, as well as hemorrhage. In 20 patients who underwent a follow-up examination, no signs of restenosis in the stent were recorded in any case, as well as repeated ischemic strokes. In 7 cases where the plaque had an ulcer, the ulcer resolved under the stent. Three patients are expected for a follow-up examination. According to the remote survey, these patients do not have new ischemic brain lesions. The effectiveness of the technique of triple antiembolic protection for the treatment of patients with subtotal ultraembolic hazardous carotid stenosis is indicated by the absence of clinical and neuroradiological signs of recurrent ischemic lesions.Conclusions. The technique of triple antiembolic protection for the treatment of patients with subtotal ultraembolic hazardous carotid stenoses is safe and highly effective. It is the improvement of carotid stenting results in this most dangerous group that gives reason to think about revealing the advantages of carotid stenting over carotid endarterectomy in general.

Survival and Prognostic Factors After Carotid Artery Stenting in Patients with Concomitant Coronary Disease

AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze the prognostic factors in patients after carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: In 329 patients after CAS, the median survival (MS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated for a follow-up period of 2–101 months. All patients underwent coronary angiography before carotid stenting and, if indicated, coronary revascularization. Four groups of factors were analyzed: Carotid disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), underlying cardiac pathology, and concomitant diseases. RESULTS: MS in all patients was 86 months, OS at 1, 3, 5, and 9 years was - 94%, 85%, 73%, and 51%, respectively. Event free survival was 85 months. Log Rank-Mantel-Cox analysis demonstrated significantly reduced MS in 21 tested factors, most of them related to CAD. Two-step multifactorial Cox regression analysis defined only 7 of them as independent prognostic factors for the survival of patients after CAS: Left main stenosis, complete revascularization, late myocardial infarction, stroke, age over 70 years, valvular disease, and carotid score. CONCLUSION: Survival of patients after CAS is limited mainly by CAD and underlying cardiac pathology. Staged revascularization treatment strategy may improve the prognosis and survival of patients with both carotid and coronary disease.

The periprocedural and 30-day outcomes of carotid stenting in patients with carotid artery near-occlusion

The safety of endovascular revascularization in patients with carotid artery near occlusion (CANO) is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the peri-procedural risk in CANO patients receiving carotid artery stenting (CAS). A prospective data base with retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent CAS with CANO from July 2006 to July 2020, and had at least 1-month clinical follow-up data. The primary endpoints were stroke, hyperperfusion syndrome, and death within 30 days after CAS. A total of 198 patients with carotid artery stenosis were enrolled including 92 patients with CANO and 106 age and sex-matched patients with 70–99% conventional carotid stenosis. Full distal carotid collapse was found in 45 CANO patients (45/92, 49%). The technical success rate was 100%. The CANO patients had significantly longer lesion lengths compared with those of the non-CANO group. The incidence of hyperperfusion syndrome was comparable (CANO: 2.2%, non-CANO: 0.9%, P = 0.598). The risks of ischemic stroke and death within 30 days were 1.1% and 0% in the CANO group; and 1.9% and 0.9%, in the non-CANO group, respectively, without statistical difference. In conclusion, CAS is safe for patients with CANO, with a similar low 30-day peri-procedural event rate comparable to those of non-CANO.