warfarin and Carotid-Stenosis

Carotid artery stenosis is narrowing of the carotid arteries. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is when this narrowing occurs in people without a history or symptoms of this disease. It is caused by atherosclerosis; that is, the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. Atherosclerosis is more likely to occur in people with several risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and smoking. As this damage can develop without symptoms, the first symptom can be a fatal or disabling stroke, known as ischaemic stroke. Carotid stenosis leading to ischaemic stroke is most common in men older than 70 years. Ischaemic stroke is a worldwide public health problem.. To assess the effects of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of asymptomatic carotid stenosis in preventing neurological impairment, ipsilateral major or disabling stroke, death, major bleeding, and other outcomes.. We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, two other databases, and three trials registers from their inception to 9 August 2022. We also checked the reference lists of any relevant systematic reviews identified and contacted specialists in the field for additional references to trials.. We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs), irrespective of publication status and language, comparing a pharmacological intervention to placebo, no treatment, or another pharmacological intervention for asymptomatic carotid stenosis.. We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. Two review authors independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias of the trials. A third author resolved disagreements when necessary. We assessed the evidence certainty for key outcomes using GRADE.. We included 34 RCTs with 11,571 participants. Data for meta-analysis were available from only 22 studies with 6887 participants. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 years. None of the 34 included studies assessed neurological impairment and quality of life. Antiplatelet agent (acetylsalicylic acid) versus placebo Acetylsalicylic acid (1 study, 372 participants) may result in little to no difference in ipsilateral major or disabling stroke (risk ratio (RR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47 to 2.47), stroke-related mortality (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.54 to 3.59), progression of carotid stenosis (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.71), and adverse events (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.59), compared to placebo (all low-certainty evidence). The effect of acetylsalicylic acid on major bleeding is very uncertain (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.53; very low-certainty evidence). The study did not measure neurological impairment or quality of life. Antihypertensive agents (metoprolol and chlorthalidone) versus placebo The antihypertensive agent, metoprolol, may result in no difference in ipsilateral major or disabling stroke (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to1.16; 1 study, 793 participants) and stroke-related mortality (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.94; 1 study, 793 participants) compared to placebo (both low-certainty evidence). However, chlorthalidone may slow the progression of carotid stenosis (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.91; 1 study, 129 participants; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo. Neither study measured neurological impairment, major bleeding, adverse events, or quality of life. Anticoagulant agent (warfarin) versus placebo The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of warfarin (1 study, 919 participants) on major bleeding (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.46; very low-certainty evidence), but it may reduce adverse events (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.99; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo. The study did not measure neurological impairment, ipsilateral major or disabling stroke, stroke-related mortality, progression of carotid stenosis, or quality of life. Lipid-lowering agents (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, probucol, and rosuvastatin) versus placebo or no treatment Lipid-lowering agents may result in little to no difference in ipsilateral major or disabling stroke (atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin; RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.53; 5 studies, 2235 participants) stroke-related mortality (lovastatin and pravastatin; RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.03. Although there is no high-certainty evidence to support pharmacological intervention, this does not mean that pharmacological treatments are ineffective in preventing ischaemic cerebral events, morbidity, and mortality. High-quality RCTs are needed to better inform the best medical treatment that may reduce the burden of carotid stenosis. In the interim, clinicians will have to use other sources of information.. پیشینه: تنگی شریان کاروتید عبارت است از باریک شدن شریان‌های کاروتید. تنگی کاروتید بدون نشانه زمانی است که این تنگی در افراد بدون سابقه یا نشانه‌های این بیماری رخ می‌دهد. این عارضه ناشی از آترواسکلروز (atherosclerosis) است؛ یعنی تجمع چربی، کلسترول و دیگر مواد داخل و روی دیواره‌های شریان. احتمال بروز آترواسکلروز در افرادی که عوامل خطر متعددی دارند، مانند دیابت، هیپرتانسیون، هیپرلیپیدمی و مصرف سیگار، بیشتر است. از آنجایی که این آسیب می‌تواند بدون نشانه ایجاد شود، اولین نشانه می‌تواند یک سکته مغزی کشنده یا ناتوان کننده باشد که به عنوان سکته مغزی ایسکمیک شناخته می‌شود. تنگی کاروتید منجر به وقوع سکته مغزی ایسکمیک در مردان بالای 70 سال شایع‌تر رخ می‌دهد. سکته مغزی ایسکمیک یک مشکل سلامت عمومی در سراسر جهان است. اهداف: ارزیابی تاثیرات مداخلات دارویی در درمان تنگی کاروتید بدون نشانه به منظور پیشگیری از بروز‌اختلالات نورولوژیکی، سکته مغزی ماژور یا ناتوان کننده یک طرفه (ipsilateral)، مرگ‌ومیر، خونریزی شدید، و دیگر پیامدها. روش‌های جست‌وجو: پایگاه ثبت کارآزمایی‌های گروه سکته مغزی (stroke) در کاکرین، CENTRAL؛ MEDLINE؛ Embase؛ دو بانک اطلاعاتی دیگر، و سه پایگاه ثبت کارآزمایی را از زمان شروع به کار تا 9 آگوست 2022 جست‌وجو کردیم. هم‌چنین فهرست منابع مرورهای سیستماتیک مرتبط را که شناسایی شدند، بررسی کرده و برای یافتن منابع بیشتر برای کارآزمایی‌ها با متخصصان این زمینه تماس گرفتیم. معیارهای انتخاب: همه کارآزمایی‌های تصادفی‌سازی و کنترل شده (randomised controlled trials; RCTs) را بدون در نظر گرفتن وضعیت انتشار و زبان نگارش مقاله وارد کردیم، که به مقایسه یک مداخله دارویی با دارونما (placebo)، عدم درمان، یا مداخله دارویی دیگر در درمان تنگی کاروتید بدون نشانه پرداختند. گردآوری و تجزیه‌وتحلیل داده‌ها: از پروسیجرهای استاندارد روش‌شناسی (methodology) کاکرین استفاده کردیم. دو نویسنده مرور به‌طور مستقل از هم به استخراج داده‌ها و ارزیابی خطر سوگیری (bias) در کارآزمایی‌ها پرداختند. در صورت لزوم، نویسنده سوم اختلاف‌نظرات را حل‌وفصل کرد. قطعیت شواهد را برای پیامدهای کلیدی با استفاده از رویکرد درجه‌بندی توصیه، ارزیابی، توسعه و ارزشیابی (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation; GRADE) ارزیابی کردیم. نتایج اصلی: تعداد 34 RCT را با 11,571 شرکت‌کننده وارد کردیم. برای انجام متاآنالیز، داده‌هایی از فقط 22 مطالعه با 6887 شرکت‌کننده در دسترس بودند. میانگین دوره پیگیری 2.5 سال بود. هیچ یک از 34 مطالعه وارد شده اختلالات نورولوژیکی و کیفیت زندگی را ارزیابی نکردند. عامل ضد پلاکت (استیل‌سالیسیلیک اسید) در برابر دارونما استیل‌سالیسیلیک اسید (acetylsalicylic acid) در مقایسه با دارونما (1 مطالعه، 372 شرکت‌کننده) ممکن است تفاوتی اندک تا عدم تفاوت را در سکته مغزی ماژور یا ناتوان ک

Topics: Aspirin; Atherosclerosis; Atorvastatin; Carotid Stenosis; Chlorthalidone; Fluvastatin; Hemorrhage; Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Metoprolol; Pravastatin; Probucol; Rosuvastatin Calcium; Stroke; Warfarin

Patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease have a high risk of recurrent stroke, and secondary prevention in these patients remains a challenge. Aggressive medical management of vascular risk factors is safe and effective for most high risk patients, but the role of endovascular and surgical therapies still remain uncertain. Future studies may identify novel therapeutic strategies for patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease, but aggressive risk factor control remains the mainstay of evidenced-based treatment at this time.

Topics: Aspirin; Carotid Artery, Common; Carotid Stenosis; Clopidogrel; Constriction, Pathologic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Male; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Risk Factors; Risk Reduction Behavior; Secondary Prevention; Stroke; Ticlopidine; Treatment Outcome; United States; Warfarin

Stroke remains a leading cause of death worldwide and the first cause of disability in the western world. Ischemic stroke (IS) accounts for almost 80% of the total cases of strokes and is a complex and multifactorial disease caused by the combination of vascular risk factors, environment and genetic factors. Investigations of the genetics of atherosclerosis and IS has greatly enhanced our knowledge of this complex multifactorial disease. In this article we sought to review common single-gene disorders relevant to IS, summarize candidate gene and genome-wide studies aimed at discovering genetic stroke risk factors and subclinical phenotypes, and to briefly discuss pharmacogenetics related to stroke treatments. Genetics of IS is, in fact, one of the most promising research frontiers and genetic testing may be helpful for novel drug discoveries as well as for appropriate drug and dose selection for treatment of patients with cerebrovascular disease.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Stenosis; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Pharmacogenetics; Risk Factors; Stroke; Thienopyridines; Tunica Intima; Warfarin

The aim of this article was to describe (i) the epidemiology and outcomes of stroke relating to diabetes; (ii) the pathophysiology of diabetes as a risk factor for stroke; (iii) the management of acute stroke in patients with diabetes; (iv) the evidence of primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with diabetes; and (v) the risk of new-onset diabetes using older antihypertensive agents. The combination of diabetes and stroke disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Evidence from large clinical trials performed in patients with diabetes supports the need for aggressive and early intervention to target patients' cardiovascular (CV) risks in order to prevent the onset, recurrence and progression of acute stroke. Identification of at-risk patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome has also allowed the delivery of early and effective intervention to reduce stroke risks, while active treatment during the acute phase of stroke will reduce long-term neurological and functional deficits. While the ongoing debate on the risk benefits of different antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antiplatelet agents should not detract clinicians from pursuing aggressive CV risk reduction, the application of evidence-based medicine specifically in patients with diabetes will facilitate the use of appropriate agents to improve clinical outcomes. The overall management of patients with diabetes and acute stroke or at risk of secondary stroke should also include multifactorial intervention that not only targets patient's CV risk but also includes behavioural, lifestyle and, where appropriate, surgical intervention.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Carotid Stenosis; Diabetic Angiopathies; Dyslipidemias; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Hypertension; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Risk Factors; Smoking Cessation; Stroke; Warfarin

The presence of a carotid stenosis, a floating thrombus, and a patient with clinical and CT evidence of a stroke represents a significant therapeutic dilemma to the clinician. The evidence of a stroke precludes any active treatment of the carotid stenosis safely, while the floating thrombus demands immediate attention. We recently were involved with just such a patient and chose a conservative approach of anticoagulation followed by operative intervention several weeks later.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Carotid Artery Thrombosis; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Angiography; Clopidogrel; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Heparin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Stroke; Ticlopidine; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Topics: Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Stenosis; Clinical Protocols; Endarterectomy; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Warfarin

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Anticoagulants; Arteriosclerosis; Aspirin; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Stenosis; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Humans; Warfarin

Stroke is ideally suited for prevention. It has a high prevalence, burden of illness, and economic cost, and safe and effective prevention measures. The estimated $30 billion that is being spent for stroke each year in the United States should not come as a surprise given the approximately 3 million stroke survivors and 400,000 to 500,000 new or recurrent stroke cases annually. Stroke remains the third leading cause of death among adults and has been targeted for cost containment by managed care health systems and other insurers. The US Public Health Service in conjunction with the National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives has set a goal to reduce stroke deaths to 20 per 100,000 by the year 2000. This goal could be attained as the estimate of "preventable" strokes could be as high as 80%. In this article, I will review the status of stroke risk factors, prevention approaches to reduce stroke, clinical trial data from primary and secondary stroke prevention studies, and future directions in stroke prevention.

Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Aspirin; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes Complications; Exercise; Female; Heart Diseases; Humans; Hypertension; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Risk Factors; Smoking; Warfarin

Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is an uncommon condition, which is often not correctly diagnosed clinically. Diagnosis is readily made by duplex scan, computerized tomography with contrast or magnetic resonance imaging. A case of IJVT following carotid endarterectomy with intra-operative retraction of the internal jugular vein is reported.

Topics: Blindness; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Heparin; Humans; Jugular Veins; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Radiography; Recurrence; Thrombosis; Ultrasonography; Warfarin

Cerebral infarction in patients with atrial fibrillation may vary from being clinically silent to catastrophic. The prevalence of silent cerebral infarction and its effect as a risk factor for symptomatic stroke are important considerations for the evaluation of patients with atrial fibrillation.. This Veterans Affairs cooperative study was a double-blind controlled trial designed primarily to determine the efficacy of warfarin for the prevention of stroke in neurologically normal patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. It also was designed to evaluate patients with silent cerebral infarction. Computed tomography scans of the head were performed at entry, at the time of any subsequent stroke, and at termination of follow-up on all patients who completed the study without a neurological event. Of 516 evaluable scans performed at entry, 76 (14.7%) had evidence of one or more silent cerebral infarcts. Age (P = .011), a history of hypertension (P = .003), active angina (P = .012), and elevated mean systolic blood pressure (P < .001) were associated with the presence of this finding. Silent cerebral infarction occurred during the study at rates of 1.01% and 1.57% per year for the placebo and warfarin treatment groups, respectively (NS). Silent cerebral infarction at entry was not an independent predictor of later symptomatic stroke, but active angina was a significant predictor; 15% of the placebo-assigned patients with angina developed a stroke compared with 5% of the placebo-assigned patients without angina.. Silent cerebral infarction is frequently seen in asymptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation. Age, history of hypertension, active angina, and elevated mean systolic blood pressure were associated with silent infarction at entry. The sample size was too small to determine whether warfarin had an effect on the incidence of silent infarction during the trial. Active angina at baseline was the only significant independent predictor for the later development of symptomatic stroke.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Infarction; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography; Warfarin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of clopidogrel at the time of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and its association with postoperative complications.. Single-institution, retrospective review of a prospective database.. From 2010 to 2017, CEA was performed in 1066 consecutive patients (median age, 73 years; 66% men). The indications for operation included ≥70% asymptomatic stenosis (458; 43%), prior stroke (314; 29%), and transient cerebral or retinal ischemia (294; 28%). At the time of operation, 509 (48%) patients were taking aspirin alone, 441 (41%) were taking clopidogrel (374 in combination with aspirin, 67 as sole therapy), 83 (8%) were on no documented antiplatelet medication, and 33 (3%) were taking warfarin (with therapeutic international normalized ratio). The likelihood of clopidogrel use at the time of operation was higher for patients with a history of symptomatic carotid disease (P = .002). Over the study period, clopidogrel use increased from 31.9% in 2010 to 56.8% in 2017, which corresponds to an 11% (95% confidence interval, 6%-15%) increase annually. Postoperative strokes occurred in 15 patients (overall incidence, 1.4%), the majority of which were minor (12/15; 80%). Six strokes occurred in patients taking aspirin alone (6/509; 1.2%), two in patients on clopidogrel and aspirin (2/441; 0.5%), two in patients taking clopidogrel alone (2/67; 2.9%), three in patients on no documented antiplatelet medication (3/83; 3.6%), and two in those taking warfarin (one of which was secondary to a fatal intracranial hemorrhage within 30 days of discharge [2/33; 6.1%]). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.03% (3/1066); the risk for the combined endpoint of any stroke, death, or myocardial infarction (MI) was 2.3% (25/1066), and the risk for major stroke, death, or MI was 1.2%. There was no apparent association between clopidogrel use and the incidence of postoperative bleeding (P = .59) or any other postoperative complication (stroke, death, MI, cranial nerve injury; P = .15).. Clopidogrel use in our CEA practice has increased over time and has not been associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, including bleeding. These data suggest that clopidogrel should not be discontinued prior to CEA and should be considered as part of 'optimal medical therapy' in patients undergoing CEA.

Topics: Aged; Aspirin; Carotid Stenosis; Clopidogrel; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Risk Factors; Stroke; Ticlopidine; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

A 54-year-old man underwent decompressive craniectomy following a stroke. He further developed right lower limb ischaemia, and CT aortography revealed extensive aortic atherosclerotic disease. Urgent embolectomy prevented him from having a major amputation. He subsequently developed pulmonary embolism. This was initially treated with heparin followed by warfarin apart from antiplatelets and statin. A follow-up aortography at 3 months interval showed near complete resolution of atheromatous disease of the aorta. This report raises the possibility that apart from antiplatelets and lipid-lowering agents, anticoagulation may be responsible for resolution of such an extensive atheromatous disease and whether this can be considered as part of regular treatment.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Diseases; Brain; Carotid Stenosis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Heparin; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Male; Middle Aged; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Pulmonary Embolism; Simvastatin; Stroke; Warfarin

In the Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis trial (1995), medical management was defined as aspirin in addition to adequate control of comorbidities. Since then, medical management of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS) has progressed to include broader use of statins. Our purpose was to review the effect of contemporary medical management on stroke prevention. A retrospective review of the Kaiser Permanente, Southern California medical group database was performed. All patients with a diagnosis of asymptomatic CAS by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes from 2007 to 2011 were identified. Intervention for stroke prevention was the criteria for exclusion. Medications used were evaluated as was the rate of stroke. Asymptomatic CAS was noted in 7255 patients. Of these, 158 (2.2%) sustained a stroke within a mean follow-up of 37 months. Patients who were taking a statin had a statistically significant lower risk of stroke (1.6 vs 3.9%). The data support that contemporary medical management of asymptomatic CAS has decreased the incidence of stroke in comparison to previously published data. The use of statins was protective against the development of stroke. Future prospective randomized trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of carotid intervention versus current medical management.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Asymptomatic Diseases; Carotid Stenosis; Clopidogrel; Databases, Factual; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies; Stroke; Ticlopidine; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

The aim of this study was to define the optimal treatment for patients with symptomatic intraluminal carotid artery thrombus (ICAT).. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients who had presented with symptomatic ICAT at their institution between 2001 and 2011.. Twenty-four patients (16 males and 8 females) with ICAT presented with ischemic stroke (18 patients) or transient ischemic attack ([TIA], 6 patients). All were initially treated using anticoagulation with or without antiplatelet drugs. Eight of these patients had no or only mild carotid artery stenosis on initial angiography and were treated with medical management alone. The remaining 16 patients had moderate or severe carotid stenosis on initial angiography; of these, 10 underwent delayed revascularization (8 patients, carotid endarterectomy [CEA]; 2 patients, angioplasty and stenting), 2 refused revascularization, and 4 were treated with medical therapy alone. One patient had multiple TIAs despite medical therapy and eventually underwent CEA; the remaining 23 patients had no TIAs after treatment. No patient suffered ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke while on anticoagulation therapy, either during the perioperative period or in the long-term follow-up; 1 patient died of an unrelated condition. The mean follow-up was 16.4 months.. Results of this study suggest that initial anticoagulation for symptomatic ICAT leads to a low rate of recurrent ischemic events and that carotid revascularization, if indicated, can be safely performed in a delayed manner.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Thrombosis; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Angiography; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Retrospective Studies; Stroke; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Topics: Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Carotid Stenosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Glucocorticoids; Heparin; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Methylprednisolone; Prednisone; Takayasu Arteritis; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Warfarin; Young Adult

To describe the use of argatroban as a procedural and bridging anticoagulant in a patient with a previous history of heparin allergy and atrial fibrillation undergoing carotid endarterectomy.. A 78-year-old female with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and multiple medical comorbidities, including atrial fibrillation requiring chronic anticoagulation with warfarin, was found to have greater than 70% stenosis of her left carotid artery by standard duplex imaging. Her warfarin therapy was discontinued as an outpatient approximately 48 hours prior to an elective left carotid endarterectomy and she was started on argatroban 2 μg/kg/min for bridging therapy. The endarterectomy was successfully performed while the patient was maintained on a continuous argatroban infusion. The dose was adjusted by 0.25-μg/kg/min intervals to achieve and maintain an activated clotting time of greater than 200 seconds during the procedure. Her postoperative course was unremarkable and she was transitioned back to warfarin and subsequently discharged home.. HIT poses a challenge for patients in need of vascular surgery. Optimally, one would postpone any surgical intervention until the heparin antibodies are cleared from circulation, which on average takes about 100 days. In theory, it is safe to reexpose these patients to heparin products upon clearance of the antibody; however, there is scant literature available to show its safety. Current guidelines recommend limiting heparin exposure in any patients with a history of HIT, but the optimal alternative anticoagulant in this setting is unclear. There are several direct thrombin inhibitors available, but argatroban seemed to be a logical choice for our patient, especially in the setting of renal insufficiency, given its favorable pharmacokinetics and ease of monitoring with readily available coagulation tests. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of the systemic use of argatroban in carotid endarterectomy in a patient with a previous history of HIT.. Argatroban may be an effective anticoagulant during carotid endarterectomy in patients with underlying chronic renal disease and a history of HIT. Additional research is needed to determine the ideal anticoagulant in vascular surgery when heparin cannot be utilized.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Arginine; Atrial Fibrillation; Blood Coagulation Tests; Carotid Stenosis; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Heparin; Humans; Pipecolic Acids; Sulfonamides; Thrombocytopenia; Warfarin

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Carotid Stenosis; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Artery Bypass; Coronary Thrombosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Echocardiography; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Warfarin

Orbital infarction syndrome is defined as ischemia of global intraorbital structures such as extraocular muscles, optic nerves, and retina. The most common cause of this syndrome is carotid arterial occlusion. Other causes include vasculitis, vasospasm, and compression of intraorbital circulation. There has never been reported a case of orbital infarction syndrome in nephrotic syndrome patient. We present a case of 42-year-old Thai man with underlying disease nephrotic syndrome presented with abrupt onset of headache at left temporal area, horizontal diplopia, limitation of eye movement in all directions, ptosis, and blurred vision on the left eye. He was treated with pulse methylprednisolone intravenously for 3 days. Leg edema was improved however, the eye symptoms persisted. There was no evidence of hypercoagulable state. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed loss of signal intensity at left internal carotid artery from base of skull to intracavernous part. Cerebral angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of left common carotid artery. After the anticoagulant treatment, his symptoms were gradually improved. The cause of extensive carotid arterial occlusion in this patient is most likely from hypercoagulable state. Although it was negative for hypercoagulable state evidence, the authors assume that the high dose steroid treatment could lead to remission of nephrotic syndrome and resulting in the resolution of hypercoagulable state.

Topics: Adult; Anticoagulants; Carotid Artery Diseases; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Infarction; Humans; Male; Orbital Diseases; Syndrome; Warfarin

Topics: Adult; Anticoagulants; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Coronary Angiography; Drug Therapy, Combination; Eye; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Ischemia; Retinal Artery Occlusion; Scleroderma, Diffuse; Syndrome; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Warfarin

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in high-risk patients. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to be more effective than medical therapy but has limitations. CAS may be a reasonable alternative, particularly in high-risk patients. The authors evaluated prospectively the safety and efficacy of CAS in 299 consecutive patients who underwent CAS of 343 extracranial carotid arteries. Of the patients enrolled, 210 (70%) would have been excluded from the major trials of CEA, and 84 (28%) were referred by vascular surgeons. This series represents a very high-risk group that included patients with unstable angina, previous ipsilateral CEA, contralateral carotid occlusion, and other severe comorbid illnesses. Seventy-four (25%) patients were aged 80 years or more. All patients had independent neurologic examination before and after the procedure. Three hundred seventy-six stents were deployed in 343 arteries. Procedural success was 99%. Mean stenosis was 75 +/- 12% before and 7 +/- 8% after the procedure. Ninety-two patients had coronary intervention. Only 56 (19%) patients were North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) eligible. During the initial hospitalization and 30 days post-CAS, there were two (0.6%) major and seven (2.3%) minor strokes. There were no myocardial infarctions or deaths during or within 30 days of CAS. None of the NASCET-eligible patients had a stroke. At a mean follow-up period of 26 +/- 13 months, eight (2.7%) patients had asymptomatic restenosis. No additional major strokes or neurologic deaths occurred. In conclusion, CAS is feasible, can be performed even in high-risk patients, and is associated with a low restenosis rate.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Anticoagulants; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Carotid Artery Thrombosis; Carotid Artery, Common; Carotid Stenosis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Maryland; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Radiography; Severity of Illness Index; Stents; Time; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

A 50-year-old man presented spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection with ischemic stroke. He had a history of deep venous thrombosis, and an activated protein C resistance due to factor V Leiden mutation was documented. He showed no other vascular risk factor. This unusual case puts the question whether this coagulation defect may be related to the stroke occurrence.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Aortic Dissection; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Factor V; Follow-Up Studies; Heparin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Point Mutation; Protein C; Thrombophlebitis; Warfarin

Carotid angioplasty and stenting is gaining in popularity as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of symptomatic critical stenoses of the internal carotid artery. However, the durability of this technique and the incidence of recurrent stenoses has not yet been fully evaluated. It has been reported that mechanical factors may cause deformity of a Palmaz stent, negating the initial benefits of the procedure. We describe successful carotid endarterectomy after distortion of a Strecker balloon-expandable stent.

Topics: Angioplasty; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Carotid Artery Diseases; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Equipment Failure; Follow-Up Studies; Granuloma, Foreign-Body; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Prostheses and Implants; Recurrence; Stents; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Warfarin

Stroke from surgically inaccessible intracranial atherostenosis remains a formidable clinical challenge. While antithrombotic or antiplatelet therapy may prevent distal embolism, there is no effective program for plaque stabilization preventing progression of atherosclerotic stenosis. In patients with isolated circulations (single vertebral with absent posterior communicating arteries, single carotid with contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion, or single carotid with an absent anterior communicating artery), occlusion of the stenotic vessel may produce a low flow-mediated stroke. Fifteen patients with atherosclerotic intracranial stenoses were treated by balloon angioplasty after medical therapy with warfarin failed. Treated territories included the distal internal carotid, proximal middle cerebral, distal vertebral, and basilar arteries. Dilation was successful in all vessels, with residual stenoses averaging less than 30%. Two complications included one paramedian pontine stroke and a single vessel rupture that proved fatal. There was no recurrence of transient ischemic attacks and no restenosis at the angioplasty site over a follow-up period of more than 24 months. In this small series, balloon angioplasty of intracranial vessels provided a therapeutic option for secondary stroke prevention in highly selected patients. Further studies will be necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment in larger series.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Angioplasty, Balloon; Anticoagulants; Arteriosclerosis; Basilar Artery; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Arteries; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Disease Progression; Embolism; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Recurrence; Regional Blood Flow; Rupture; Vertebral Artery; Warfarin

In the absence of symptoms, management is not clear-cut; indeed, are symptoms truly absent or merely unacknowledged? The workup must carefully balance risks associated with carotid endarterectomy against risks of nonsurgical treatment. Psychosocial factors are an important part of the balance; some patients prefer to live with the risk of stroke from essentially untreated disease.

Topics: Aged; Algorithms; Carotid Stenosis; Decision Making; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Health Status; Humans; Male; Myocardial Ischemia; Risk Factors; Ultrasonography; Warfarin

Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) has been used to detect microembolic signals in a variety of clinical situations. We studied the prevalence of TCD-detected microemboli in 38 acute stroke patients.. Consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation stroke were stratified into high-risk (group 1), medium-risk (group 2), and low-risk (group 3) groups based on their risk factors for cerebral embolism.. Microemboli were detected in 11% of patients. They were present in 17% of group 1, 10% of group 2, and 0% of group 3 patients. Emboli were present in patients with mechanical prosthetic valves, carotid stenosis (> 70%), and mitral valve strands with a patent foramen ovale. Patients with microemboli more frequently had a history of cerebral ischemia compared with patients without microemboli (P < .05). They also more frequently had recent (< 3 months) symptoms compared with patients without microemboli (P < .05). In patients with a cardiac source of embolization, the number of microemboli detected was directly proportional to the acuity of previous symptoms.. These data suggest that TCD-detected microemboli are associated with an increased prevalence of prior cerebrovascular ischemia. The presence of TCD-detected microemboli could be a risk factor for cerebrovascular ischemia.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Atrial Fibrillation; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Heart Diseases; Heart Failure; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial; Heart Valve Diseases; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Heparin; Humans; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Mitral Valve; Myocardial Infarction; Risk Factors; Thrombosis; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial; Warfarin

This non-randomized study surveys the prophylactic treatment of 154 patients after transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke in the carotid artery territory. Clinical presentation and etiologies were compared on the basis of the proposed prophylactic treatment. A surgical intervention or a long-lasting anticoagulation was restricted to only 30 patients (20%) due especially to the gravity of the ischemic cerebral lesions, general deterioration, and the advanced age of most of the patients. The purpose is to emphasize the "down-to-earth" situation in current medical care of non-selected patients as distinguished from the strictly selected patients of randomized studies. More importance should be done to open studies which better reflect the daily medical reality.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Female; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Long-Term Care; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Care Team; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Primary Health Care; Prospective Studies; Warfarin