rome and Carotid-Stenosis

The primary aim is the evaluation of the usefulness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the identification of otherwise unnoticed complications during carotid stenting. The secondary aim is the evaluation of the impact of IVUS assistance in the procedural outcomes and long-term patency rates of carotid artery stenting.. Sixty patients who underwent carotid artery stenting (CAS) during a 14-month period were evaluated prospectively. Thirty patients (50%) underwent IVUS assisted CAS, 30 patients (50%) underwent CAS using angiography as the unique diagnostic tool. All patients were enrolled through a primary duplex ultrasound evaluation; as a secondary evaluation, 54 patients (90%) underwent a preprocedural magnetic resonance angiography, whereas six patients (10%) underwent computed tomography-angiography. Patients with preocclusive stenoses (>85%) were excluded. Mean follow-up was 23 W 5.3 months.. No periprocedural or late complications were observed. No statistical significance was observed in long-term stent patency between the two groups. Mean procedural time length of IVUS-assisted procedures was 10.3 W 5 min longer than non-IVUS-assisted procedures. Virtual histology (VH) IVUS evaluation of plaque morphology led to a different stent choice in three patients. In two cases, the IVUS assessment revealed a suboptimal stent deployment, solved by angioplasty; in one patient VH-IVUS detected plaque protrusion through stent cells, immediately treated by manual aspiration.. Though not recommended as a routine intraprocedural evaluation, IVUS may be useful for a real-time CAS control when treating challenging plaques, such as 'soft' or lipidic ones or those prone to rupture, or whenever an intraprocedural morphologic evaluation is required for the appropriate stent choice, or when higher embolic risk is evaluated.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Stenosis; Clinical Decision-Making; Computed Tomography Angiography; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Preliminary Data; Prospective Studies; Prosthesis Design; Rome; Severity of Illness Index; Stents; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Vascular Patency

This study evaluated the timing of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the prevention of stroke in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis >70% receiving a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).. From January 2004 to December 2009, 185 patients with unilateral asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis >70%, candidates for CABG, were randomized into two groups. In group A, 94 patients received a CABG with previous or simultaneous CEA. In group B, 91 patients underwent CABG, followed by CEA. All patients underwent preoperative helical computed tomography scans, excluding significant atheroma of the ascending aorta or aortic arch. Baseline characteristics of the patients, type of coronary artery lesion, and preoperative myocardial function were comparable in the two groups. In group A, all patients underwent CEA under general anesthesia with the systematic use of a carotid shunt, and 79 patients had a combined procedure and 15 underwent CEA a few days before CABG. In group B, all patients underwent CEA, 1 to 3 months after CABG, also under general anesthesia and with systematic carotid shunting.. Two patients (one in each group) died of cardiac failure in the postoperative period. Operative mortality was 1.0% in group A and 1.1% in group B (P = .98). No strokes occurred in group A vs seven ipsilateral ischemic strokes in group B, including three immediate postoperative strokes and four late strokes, at 39, 50, 58, and 66 days, after CABG. These late strokes occurred in patients for whom CEA was further delayed due to an incomplete sternal wound healing or because of completion of a cardiac rehabilitation program. The 90-day stroke and death rate was 1.0% (one of 94) in group A and 8.8% (eight of 91) in group B (odds ratio [OR], 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.91; P = .02). Logistic regression analysis showed that only delayed CEA (OR, 14.2; 95% CI, 1.32-152.0; P = .03) and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11; P = .004) reliably predicted stroke or death at 90 days.. This study suggests that previous or simultaneous CEA in patients with unilateral severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis undergoing CABG could prevent stroke better than delayed CEA, without increasing the overall surgical risk.

Topics: Aged; Asymptomatic Diseases; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Carotid Stenosis; Chi-Square Distribution; Coronary Artery Bypass; Coronary Artery Disease; Discriminant Analysis; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; France; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Patient Selection; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Time Factors; Tomography, Spiral Computed; Treatment Outcome

Atherosclerosis and cancer share several risk factors suggesting that at least in part their pathogenesis is sustained by common mechanisms. To investigate this relation we followed a group of subjects with carotid atherosclerosis at baseline up for malignancy development.. we carried out an observational study exploring cancer incidence (study endpoint) in subjects with known carotid atherosclerosis at baseline (n = 766) without previous cancer or carotid vascular procedures. During the follow-up (160 ± 111 weeks) 24 cancer occurred, corresponding to an overall annual incidence rate of 0.11%. 10 diagnosis of cancer occurred in individuals with a carotid stenosis >50% (n = 90) whereas 14 in patients with a carotid stenosis <50% patients (n = 676) (p < 0.001). Respect to patients without cancer, diabetes was markedly more common in subjects with cancer diagnosis during the FU (37.3%vs75.0%, p < 0.001). After controlling for classic risk factors, carotid stenosis >50% (HR = 2.831, 95%CI = 1.034-5.714; p = 0.036) and diabetes (HR = 4.831, 95%CI = 1.506-15.501; p = 0.008) remained significantly associated with cancer diagnosis.. to our knowledge this is the first study reporting a significant risk of cancer development in subjects with diabetes and high risk of cerebrovascular events, highlighting the need of a carefully clinical screening for cancer in diabetic patients with overt carotid atherosclerosis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Stenosis; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors

In the last decade, several studies have reported an unexpected and seemingly paradoxical inverse correlation between BMI and incidence of cardiovascular diseases. This so called "obesity paradox effect" has been mainly investigated through imaging methods instead of histologic evaluation, which is still the best method to study the instability of carotid plaque. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to evaluate by histology the role of obesity in destabilization of carotid plaques and the interaction with age, gender and other major cerebrovascular risk factors.. A total of 390 carotid plaques from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients submitted to endarterectomy, for whom complete clinical and laboratory assessment of major cardiovascular risk factors was available, were studied by histology. Patients with a BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m. Unstable carotid plaque OR for obese patients with age < 70 years was 5.91 (95% CI 1.17-29.80), thus being the highest OR compared to that of other risk factors. Unstable carotid plaque OR decreased to 4.61 (95% CI 0.54-39.19) in males ≥ 70 years, being only 0.93 (95% CI 0.25-3.52) among women. When obesity featured among metabolic syndrome risk factors, the OR for plaque destabilization was 3.97 (95% CI 1.81-6.22), a significantly higher value compared to OR in non-obese individuals with metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 0.86-2.31). Similar results were obtained when assessing the occurrence of acute cerebrovascular symptoms.. Results from our study appear to do not confirm any paradoxical effect of obesity on the carotid artery district. Conversely, obesity is confirmed to be an independent risk factor for carotid plaque destabilization, particularly in males aged < 70 years, significantly increasing such risk among patients with metabolic syndrome.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Body Mass Index; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; Rupture, Spontaneous; Sex Factors

To evaluate outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by tandem internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery occlusion undergoing endovascular treatment.. Characteristics of consecutive patients with tandem occlusion (TO) were extracted from a prospective registry. Collateral vessel quality on pretreatment computed tomographic (CT) angiography was evaluated on a 4-point grading scale, and patients were dichotomized as having poor or good collateral flow. Outcome measures included successful reperfusion according to Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction score, good outcome at 3 months defined as a modified Rankin scale score ≤ 2, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH; sICH), and mortality.. A total of 72 patients with TO (mean age, 65.6 y ± 12.8) were treated. Intravenous thrombolysis was performed in 54.1% of patients, and a carotid stent was inserted in 48.6%. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 64% of patients, and a good outcome was achieved in 32%. sICH occurred in 12.5% of patients, and the overall mortality rate was 32%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that good outcome was associated with good collateral flow (P = .0001), successful reperfusion (P = .001), and lower rate of any ICH (P = .02) and sICH (P = .04). On multivariate analysis, good collateral flow (odds ratio [OR], 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.75; P = .01) and age (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15; P = .01) were the only predictors of good outcome. The use of more than one device for thrombectomy was the only predictor of sICH (OR, 10.74; 95% CI, 1.37-84.13; P = .02).. Endovascular treatment for TO resulted in good outcomes. Collateral flow and age were independent predictors of good clinical outcomes at 3 months.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Collateral Circulation; Computed Tomography Angiography; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Recovery of Function; Regional Blood Flow; Registries; Risk Factors; Rome; Stents; Thrombectomy; Thrombolytic Therapy; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS) with Wallstents in a single-center experience.. From January 2003 to December 2013, 1000 carotid artery lesions were treated with Carotid Wallstents under cerebral protection in 877 patients (mean age 71.7 ± 8 years; 621 men). Indications for treatment were de novo lesions (>70% asymptomatic and >60% symptomatic); stenoses following carotid endarterectomy, radiation, or neck surgery; contralateral laryngeal nerve palsy; and high surgical risk. All the patients underwent duplex ultrasound and clinical evaluation during follow-up; radiography was performed when fracture or stent migration was suggested by ultrasound.. Procedure success was achieved in 99.3% of patients. Major and minor 30-day adverse events occurred in 2.1% of patients, including stroke (1.8%: 1.3% minor, 0.5% major), myocardial infarction (0.1%), and death (0.2%). Plaque morphology, nature of stenosis, and symptomatic status were significantly associated with the risk of postoperative neurologic events. Restenosis occurred in 3.2% at a mean 45.5-month follow-up and was significantly associated with diabetes, smoking, symptomatic stenosis, de novo stenosis, and calcification (plaque III/IV). No fracture or migration was registered during follow-up.. CAS is a valid method for treating carotid artery disease, with very low rates of major adverse events and neurologic complications. The Carotid Wallstent seems to have excellent results, even with complex plaque morphology, and a low incidence of restenosis at follow-up.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angioplasty; Carotid Stenosis; Computed Tomography Angiography; Coronary Vessels; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Middle Aged; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Prosthesis Design; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Rome; Stents; Stroke; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients at high risk for complications from surgery. The very elderly (≥80-year-old) are 1 subgroup of patients identified as being at increased risk for carotid surgery. However, there is concern that the very elderly are also at increased risk for complications of CAS. A stroke and death rate of 12% were reported in very elderly patients during the roll-in phase of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial. We are reporting on a clinical series of CAS and CEA with independent neurologic assessment in the very elderly. The aim of this article is to evaluate early and mild-term results obtained in the treatment of the carotid artery stenosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic octogenarians, comparing the data of CEA and CAS in academic hospital.. Between 2002 and 2013, a consecutive series of 129 CAS and 45 CEA patients (≥80-year-old) were treated in our academic hospital, a center with extensive carotid revascularization experience. Independent neurologic assessment was performed before and after procedures. Exclusion criteria were cerebral hemorrhage diagnosed within 6 months, cerebral tumors and dementia. Hostile aortic arches were nevertheless treated with alternative approaches like cervical or radial access. All the procedures have been performed by the senior authors.. The average age was 86.9 years. Most patients were male (56%), and the target lesion carotid stenosis was asymptomatic in 80% of patients. No significant differences were obtained regarding gender, symptoms, risk factors or comorbidities, and evident CT lesions among the 2 groups of different treatments. Embolic protection devices were used in all cases with the CAS procedure. The overall 30-day incidence of stroke and death was 2.3% (3 of 129) in CAS group and 4.4% (2 of 45) in CEA group.. Exclusion of high-risk patients from CAS, based on age alone, seems to be unjustified. Octogenarians are not at increased risk of periprocedural adverse events after CAS compared with younger patients. The key to obtain satisfactory results is CAS to be performed by an experienced team able to use not only standard filter protected CAS but also familiar with all the other types of access and protection techniques.

Topics: Academic Medical Centers; Age Factors; Aged, 80 and over; Angioplasty; Asymptomatic Diseases; Carotid Stenosis; Databases, Factual; Embolic Protection Devices; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Male; Neurologic Examination; Patient Selection; Risk Factors; Rome; Stents; Stroke; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The aim of the study was to investigate the possible role of individual predisposition in the pathogenesis of carotid restenosis.. Over 1700 patients have undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in our institute over the past 15 years. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of those who also had contralateral carotid stenting (CAS) for primary atherosclerotic stenosis and recorded the rates of post-CEA and post-CAS restenosis ≥50%.. In the 29 cases analyzed (21 men/8 women), CEA was performed with conventional technique and direct suturing in most cases. Mean ages at the time of CEA and CAS were 69.2±6.6 and 73±6.7 yrs, respectively, and risk profiles at the 2 time points were similar: hypertension (96.5%), dyslipidemia (55.2%), smoking (51.7%), diabetes (31%), coronary artery disease (48.3%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (37.9%), and chronic renal failure (13.8%). Antiplatelet therapy protocols were identical for the two procedures. During follow-up (mean: 67.25±51.6 months after CEA, 24.6±16.9 months after CAS), Duplex scans revealed restenosis in 12 patients (9 arteries treated with CEA, 6 managed with CAS). In three patients, restenosis was bilateral. Restenosis-free survival rates at five years were 85% after CEA and 66% after CAS (P=NS).. In this selected group of patients, CEA and CAS were associated with a similar incidence of restenosis. Only 25% of the patients who developed restenosis did so after both procedures. These preliminary findings indicate that individual predisposition does not play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of restenosis. To confirm this conclusion, an analysis of a much larger, multicenter cohort is essential.

Topics: Aged; Angioplasty; Carotid Stenosis; Computed Tomography Angiography; Disease-Free Survival; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; Stents; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex

The location of the carotid bifurcation and a very distal extension of internal carotid atherosclerotic disease may challenge vascular surgeons performing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) by increasing technical difficulty and possibly the incidence of cranial nerve damage or palsies. The objective of the present study is to report on the safety of CEA with mandibular subluxation (MS) and to compare results of CEA in 2 groups of patients treated by standard CEA or by MS-CEA according to rates of major neurologic complications, death, and the occurrence of postoperative peripheral nerve palsy.. Between July 2000 and June 2012, 1,357 CEAs were performed. MS was additionally used in 43 patients. Only patients with primary atherosclerotic internal carotid artery (ICA) lesions in the 2 groups (38 in the MS-CEA group and 1,289 in the standard CEA group) were considered for comparative analysis.. MS-CEA patients were more frequently male (P = 0.03), presented more frequently with symptomatic lesions (P = 0.007), longer lesions (P = 0.01), and had common ICA bypass implantation (P = 0.02). Mean follow-up was 68.75 ± 37.87 months (range: 1-144 months). No perioperative neurologic mortality and no prolonged discomfort related to MS was recorded. The overall neurologic morbidity rate (major stroke/minor stroke/transient ischemic attach) was comparable in the 2 groups (P = 0.78). The overall immediate peripheral nerve injury rate was 7.89% in the MS-CEA group and 5.27% in the standard CEA group (P = 0.73). Three cases of permanent dysphonia in the standard CEA group (0.23%) and 1 case of dysphagia in the MS-CEA group (2.63%) were reported at follow-up (P = 0.24).. MS-CEA can be a very useful technical adjunct for high-located carotid bifurcations or challenging carotid lesions, with an overall risk comparable to that of standard CEA.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Incidence; Joint Dislocations; Male; Mandible; Middle Aged; Patient Positioning; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Rome; Severity of Illness Index; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome

Severe carotid stenosis is a frequent cause of stroke in both men and women. Whereas several sex-related comparisons are available on coronary atherosclerosis, there are few data appraising gender-specific features of carotid plaques. We aimed to systematically compare the pathology and inflammatory features of carotid plaques in men vs women.. Carotid plaque specimens were collected from patients undergoing surgical endarterectomy for asymptomatic or symptomatic carotid stenosis. Histologic analysis was performed, as well as measurements of plaque composition and inflammation.. A total of 457 patients were included (132 women, 325 men). Baseline analyses showed a greater prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and former smoking status in women, despite a higher Framingham Heart Score in men (all P < .05). Women had a lower prevalence of thrombotic plaques, smaller percentage area of necrotic core, and hemorrhage extension (all P < .05). Plaque inflammation analysis showed a lower concentration of inflammatory and, in particular, of macrophage foam cells in the plaque cap of women (both P < .05). These differences were, however, no longer significant at multivariable analysis, including several baseline features, such as symptom status and stenosis severity.. Carotid plaques seem significantly different in women and men, but the main drivers of such pathologic differences are baseline features, including stenosis severity and symptom status.

Topics: Aged; Asymptomatic Diseases; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Stenosis; Chi-Square Distribution; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Foam Cells; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension; Inflammation; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Necrosis; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Prevalence; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Smoking; Thrombosis

The purpose of this study was to examine the safety of emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with carotid stenosis and unstable neurological symptoms.. This prospective, single-center study involved patients with stroke in evolution (SIE) or fluctuating stroke or crescendo transient ischemic attack (cTIA) related to a carotid stenosis ≥ 50% who underwent emergency surgery. Preoperative workup included National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) neurological assessment on admission, immediately before surgery and at discharge, carotid duplex scan, brain contrast-enhanced head computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). End points were perioperative (30-day) neurological mortality, NIHSS score variation, and hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke recurrence. Patients were evaluated according to clinical presentation (SIE or cTIA), timing of surgery, and presence of brain infarction on neuroimaging.. Between January 2005 and December 2009, 48 patients were submitted to emergency surgery. CEAs were performed from 1 to 24 hours from onset of symptoms (mean, 10.16 ± 7.75). Twenty-six patients presented an SIE with a worsening NIHSS score between admission and surgery, and 22 presented ≥ 3 cTIAs with a normal NIHSS score (= 0) immediately before surgery. An ischemic brain lesion was detected in four patients with SIE and eight patients with cTIA. All patients with cTIA presented a persistent NIHSS normal score before and after surgery. Twenty-five patients with SIE presented an NIHSS score improvement after surgery. Mean NIHSS score was 5.30 ± 2.81 before surgery and 0.54 ± 0.77 at discharge in the SIE group (P < .0001). One patient with SIE had a hemorrhagic transformation of an undetected brain ischemic lesion after surgery, with progressive neurological deterioration and death (2%).. Due to the absence of randomized controlled trials of CEA for neurologically unstable patients, data currently available do not support a policy of emergency CEA in those patients. Our results suggest that a fast protocol, including CT scans and carotid duplex ultrasound scans in neurologically unstable patients, could help identify those that can be safely submitted to emergency CEA.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Angiography; Chi-Square Distribution; Disability Evaluation; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Logistic Models; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Patient Selection; Predictive Value of Tests; Preoperative Care; Prospective Studies; Recovery of Function; Recurrence; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum levels of S100β and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), postoperative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in asymptomatic patients affected by ≥ 70% carotid stenosis submitted to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS), and to compare MMSE scores and DW-MRI findings at follow-up evaluations. Between April 2008 and April 2009, 60 patients were submitted to carotid intervention. All patients underwent DW-MRI and MMSE preoperatively, at 24 hours postoperatively, at 6 months and at 12 months. Neurobiomarkers were assessed for each patient at six time-points. Thirty-two patients were submitted to CEA and 28 to CAS. No mortality was observed. One CAS patient presented with an ischemic stroke. In six CAS patients and one CEA patient, new subclinical ischemic lesions were detected at postoperative DW-MRI (21.4% versus 3%, P = 0.03). In CAS patients, new DW-MRI lesions were significantly associated with MMSE score decline (P = 0.001). At 12 months, patients presenting with new postoperative ischemic lesions showed lower MMSE scores (P = 0.08). CAS patients showed increasing neurobiomarker levels compared with CEA patients (P = 0.02). In conclusion, microembolization effects may persist over time, so it should be avoided whenever possible. Carotid revascularization procedures should be evaluated and compared not only with respect to death/stroke but also to microembolism rates.

Topics: Aged; Angioplasty; Asymptomatic Diseases; Biomarkers; Carotid Stenosis; Chi-Square Distribution; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Growth Factors; Neuropsychological Tests; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rome; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; S100 Proteins; Severity of Illness Index; Stents; Stroke; Thromboembolism; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome