Project description:Background:Internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) is a relatively uncommon but important cause of transient ischemic attack and cerebral infarction. The majority of cases of symptomatic ICAO requires surgical treatment. In this study we performed an investigation of the efficacy and safety of hybrid surgery which is a surgical method for symptomatic chronic complete ICAO. Methods:Fifty-five patients with symptomatic chronic ICAO treated by hybrid surgery from 2016 to 2019 were included. We recorded and analyzed the patients' clinical characteristics, angiographic data, recanalization rate, complications, and outcomes. Catheter angiography or computed tomography angiography was used to assess the patency of the recanalized ICA during follow-up. Results:The total success rate of recanalization was 78.2% (43/55). The occlusions were significantly shorter in the success than failure group (5.40 ± 1.50 vs. 7.56 ± 0.99 cm, respectively; P < 0.001). The median duration of ICA occlusion was significantly shorter in the success than failure group (90 vs. 200 days, respectively). The success rates of distal ICA recanalization at the petrous segment or below, cavernous segment, and clinoid segment or above were 100, 33.3, and 14.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the level of distal ICA reconstitution was the only factor affecting the recanalization success rate. Periprocedural complications included hyperperfusion syndrome (n = 1) and laryngeal nerve injury (n = 1). ICA reocclusion occurred in one patient (2.3%). Significant postoperative improvement in symptoms was observed in the success group, with a median modified Rankin scale score of 0 at the 3-month follow-up compared with before recanalization (median, 1) (P<0.001). Conclusion:Hybrid surgery might be safe and effective for patients with symptomatic chronic complete ICAO. The level of distal ICA reconstitution is a predictor of successful recanalization in hybrid operations.
Project description:IntroductionChronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) is a common cause of stroke and ischemia recurrence. An increasing number of reports have highlighted the potential of hybrid surgery for treating CICAO. There are few studies, specifically nonrandomized controlled trials, on the safety and effectiveness of hybrid surgery for the treatment of CICAO, so in this study, we hypothesized that hybrid surgery would be safe, have an acceptable complication rate and a high success rate.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies published up to January 30, 2023. The primary endpoint was recanalization rates of occluded vessels, and the secondary endpoint was perioperative death and procedure-related complications. Subgroup analysis focused on the recanalization rates of endovascular intervention (EI) and hybrid surgery, as well as the rates of recanalization below the clinoid segment and at the clinoid segment and beyond. The follow-up visit was conducted at least 3 months after surgery, and stenosis or occlusion recurrence was confirmed by review of CTA or DSA scan.ResultsThe databases were searched and 1,709 records were identified, of which 16 articles were used in the meta-analysis, and 464 CICAO patients with complete data who underwent hybrid surgery were enrolled. Hybrid surgery was associated with higher success rates (RD = 0.87, 95% CI [0.84-0.91], p < 0.00001) than EI (OR = 4.71, 95% CI [2.32-9.56], p < 0.0001). The procedural success rate in the below-clinoid segment group was significantly higher than that in the clinoid segment and beyond group (OR = 13.76, 95% CI [5.31-35.66], p < 0.00001). The total periprocedural complication rate was low (RD = 0.11, 95% CI [0.07-0.15], p < 0.00001 and RD = 0.04, 95% CI [0.00-0.07], p = 0.03). Target vessel restenosis or reocclusion occurred in 35 patients (8%) during the follow-up period (RD = 0.08, 95% CI [0.04-0.12], p < 0.0001).ConclusionHybrid surgery is the combination of the advantages of open surgery and EI, has a high success rate and a low risk of recurrence of stenosis and occlusion in the long term. Randomized controlled trials on hybrid surgery for internal carotid artery occlusion are necessary.
Project description:Near occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare and easily misdiagnosed condition and the decision for revascularisation still remains controversial. We conducted an updated meta-analysis in order to investigate outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), carotid artery stenting (CAS) or best medical treatment (BMT) in patients with near-occlusion of the ICA. We also aimed to investigate the role of time as a potential moderator of the near-ICA occlusion-stroke rate association. A multiple electronic health database search on articles published up to November 2019 was performed. The pooled stroke rate after CEA, CAS and BMT were calculated. We also investigated transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke-related death, myocardial infarction (MI), any cause of death and ICA restenosis crude rates (%). A total of 33 articles were finally deemed eligible. The pooled stroke rate was 1.52% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-4.02%] after CEA, 1.80% (95% CI: 0.61-3.40%) after CAS and 8.39% (95% CI: 3.39-14.80%) after BMT. Out of 896 CEA patients, we recorded 22 TIAs (2.5%), 33 all-cause deaths (3.7%), 5 stroke-related deaths (0.6%) and 6 MIs (0.7%). Concerning outcomes after 603 CAS patients, we recorded 7 TIAs (1.2%), 56 all-cause deaths (9.3%), 4 stroke-related deaths (0.7%) and 22 MIs (3.6%). Among 263 patients who were treated with BMT, we found 16 TIAs (6.1%), 10 all-cause deaths (3.8%), no stroke-related death, and no MI. Crude restenosis rate during follow-up was 9.0% (54/601) for CEA and 4.1% (24/592) for CAS patients. No significant effect of publication year upon stroke rate after CEA was recorded. However, there was a significant reversed association between pooled stroke rate after CAS and publication year (P=0.05). A statistically significant reversed association between pooled stroke rate after BMT and publication year was also recorded (P<0.01). The results of this updated meta-analysis revealed high stroke rate for patients with near-occlusion of ICA who treated only with BMT, while intervention seemed to be safe and effective. A downward trend in the stroke rates over time after CAS and BMT was also discovered. These highlight that patients with near-occlusion of ICA should be included and investigated in future studies.
Project description:BackgroundGuidelines recommend treating patients with an internal carotid artery near occlusion (ICANO) with best medical therapy (BMT) based on weak evidence. Consequently, patients with ICANO were excluded from randomized trials. The aim of this individual-patient data (IPD) meta-analysis was to determine the optimal treatment approach.MethodsA systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases in January 2018. The primary outcome was the occurrence of any stroke or death within the first 30 days of treatment, analysed by multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of any stroke or death beyond 30 days up to 1 year after treatment, evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.ResultsThe search yielded 1526 articles, of which 61 were retrieved for full-text review. Some 32 studies met the inclusion criteria and pooled IPD were available from 11 studies, including some 703 patients with ICANO. Within 30 days, any stroke or death was reported in six patients (1·8 per cent) in the carotid endarterectomy (CEA) group, five (2·2 per cent) in the carotid artery stenting (CAS) group and seven (4·9 per cent) in the BMT group. This resulted in a higher 30-day stroke or death rate after BMT than after CEA (odds ratio 5·63, 95 per cent c.i. 1·30 to 24·45; P = 0·021). No differences were found between CEA and CAS. The 1-year any stroke- or death-free survival rate was 96·1 per cent for CEA, 94·4 per cent for CAS and 81·2 per cent for BMT.ConclusionThese data suggest that BMT alone is not superior to CEA or CAS with respect to 30-day or 1-year stroke or death prevention in patients with ICANO. These patients do not appear to constitute a high-risk group for surgery, and consideration should made to including them in future RCTs of internal carotid artery interventions.
Project description:ObjectivesThe optimal treatment choice of chronic carotid artery occlusion (CAO) remains inconclusive. This study was aimed at exploring the safety and effectiveness of hybrid surgery in the treatment of CAO and at determining predictors for successful recanalization.MethodsIn this study, we enrolled 37 patients with CAO who underwent hybrid surgical treatment during the period 2016-2018. We extracted and analyzed patients' demographic data, disease characteristics, surgical success rates, perioperative complications, and prognosis.ResultsA total of 37 patients with symptomatic CAO underwent hybrid surgical treatment. Thirty cases (81.1%) were successfully recanalized, while seven were not. Blood reflux after carotid endarterectomy occurred in 18 patients (60%) of the success group and 1 (14.3%) of the failure group (OR, 9.0; 95% CI, 0.95-54.5; P = 0.042). The rate of distal ICA reconstruction below the clinoid segment was 20 (66.7%) in the success group and 1 (14.3%) in the failure group (OR, 12.0; 95% CI, 1.3-113.7; P = 0.029). In patients with successful recanalization, no ischemic events occurred after surgery and during follow-up, but restenosis of >50% was found in one case. In the failure group, two patients experienced recurrent ischemic events during follow-up. Perfusion imaging in successful recanalization cases is significantly improved, preoperative I/C ratio was 1.44 (IQR 1.27-1.55), and postoperative 1.12 (IQR 1.05-1.23). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of successful recanalization cases was 5.35 (2.26) before surgery and 2.03 (1.40) at 6 months (P < 0.01).ConclusionHybrid surgery might be a safe and effective way to treat CAO. Distal internal carotid artery reconstruction to below the clinoid segment and blood reflux after carotid endarterectomy are predictors of successful recanalization.
Project description:Background: Revascularization surgery sometimes can achieve recanalization in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO). High-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (HRVWI) is a feasible technique to give detailed characteristics of the vessel wall, which may help to identify patients that carry higher success rates and more suitable for revascularization surgery. Objective: To examine the association between HRVWI characteristics of ICAO and the success rate of revascularization surgery in ICAO patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 31 ICAO recanalization patients enrolled from October 2017 to May 2019. The clinical data of patients and lesions were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 31 ICAO patients were enrolled in this study. No significant differences were found between recanalization success and recanalization failure groups with regard to occlusion length, distal end of the occluded segment, and the treatment applied. The ipsilateral-to-contralateral diameter ratios (I/C ratios) of C1 or C2 and the diameter of C7 were positively related to recanalization success. A two-factor predictive model was constructed, and the I/C ratio of C2 < 0.86 and the diameter of C7 < 1.75mm were separately assigned 1 point. The ICAO patients who scored 0, 1, or 2 points had a risk of 5.6% (1/18), 55.6% (5/9), or 100% (4/4) to fail in the recanalization. Conclusions: The I/C ratios of C1 or C2 and the diameter of C7 are predictive factors of a revascularization surgery success in ICAO patients. A risk stratification model involving C2 and C7 was constructed for future clinical applications.
Project description:ObjectiveThe main aim of the study was to investigate the predictive factors of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) for successful recanalization in patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO).MethodsWe included 41 consecutive patients who had CICAO and underwent recanalization attempts. The demographics, clinical data, and HR-MRI features in relation to the technique success were collected and analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. A score-based prediction model was constructed using a regression coefficient-based scoring method.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 26 (63.4%) patients, with a complication rate of 12.2% (5/41). Based on multivariate analysis, occlusions involving ophthalmic artery segment (C6) or above (OR: 0.036; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004-0.336) and nontapered stump (OR: 0.064; 95% CI: 0.007-0.591) were identified as independent negative predictors of successful recanalization in patients with CICAO. Point scores were assigned according to the model coefficients, and the patients who scored 0, 1, or 2 points had success rates of 93.33% (14/15), 66.67% (12/18), or 0% (0/8), respectively.ConclusionHR-MRI characteristics may be valuable in identifying candidates for endovascular recanalization in patients with CICAO. Occlusions involving the C6 segment or higher, as well as nontapered stumps, were independent negative predictors of technical success.
Project description:Symptomatic carotid artery disease is a significant cause of ischemic stroke, and these patients are at high risk for recurrent vascular events. Patients with symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack attributable to a significantly stenotic vessel (70-99% luminal narrowing) should be treated with intensive medical therapy. Intensive medical therapy is a combination of pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions consistent with best-known practices as follows: initiation of antiplatelet agent or anticoagulation if medically indicated, high potency statin medication, blood pressure control with goal blood pressure of greater than 140/90, Mediterranean-style diet, exercise, and smoking cessation. Further, patients who have extracranial culprit lesions should be considered for revascularization with either carotid endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty and stenting depending on several factors including the patient's anatomy, age, gender, and procedural risk. Based on current evidence, patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis should be managed with intensive medical therapy, including the use of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel for the first 90 days following the ischemic event. While the literature has shown a stronger benefit of revascularization of extracranial symptomatic disease among certain subgroups of patients with greater than 70% stenosis, there is less benefit from revascularization with endarterectomy in patients with moderate stenosis of 50-69% if the surgeon's risk of perioperative stroke or death rate is greater than 6%.
Project description:BackgroundAcute tandem cervical dissecting internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and intracranial embolic middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion can be devastating, and the optimal treatment strategy for this condition has not been established yet.Case descriptionA 45-year-old male presented with aphasia and right hemiparesis preceded by neck pain. Computed tomography showed a high-density signal along the left MCA, suggesting extensive emboli. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated tandem occlusion of the left cervical ICA and intracranial MCA with minimal diffusion-weighted imaging lesion. Emergent surgical embolectomy was performed, and long intracranial MCA emboli were retrieved with collateral cross-flow restoration. The cervical ICA was exposed, and dissection was confirmed. The cervical ICA was ligated, and superficial temporal artery (STA)-MCA anastomosis was added. Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated recovery from right hemiparesis and aphasia. At the 6(th) postoperative month, follow-up studies demonstrated a robustly patent STA-MCA bypass and no additional ischemic lesion on T2-weighted imaging.ConclusionsSurgical embolectomy in conjunction with ligation of the cervical ICA followed by STA-MCA bypass might be a safe alternative method to endovascular recanalization, when the cervical dissection is extensive and when huge secondary emboli are present along the MCA.