The clinical implications of adopting new criteria for the grading of internal carotid artery stenosis
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Introduction
A patient's eligibility for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is determined primarily by the degree of carotid stenosis detected on duplex ultrasound. The Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) criteria are widely used to grade carotid stenoses in many practices throughout Australasia. Methods
We sought to investigate the potential impact on the grading of carotid artery stenosis if practitioners switched from the ASUM criteria to the United Kingdom's joint recommendation (UKJR) criteria by reviewing 100 patients with a haemodynamically significant carotid artery stenosis. Results
We found agreement between the criteria in 100% of cases for stenoses <50%, in 80% of cases for stenoses 50–69%, in 89% of cases for stenoses ≥70% and in 100% of cases for stenoses ≥80%. While there was variation in grading of stenoses in 16% of cases, reclassification resulted in no change in the number of patients eligible for CEA. The UKJR guideline enabled more precise categorisation of haemodynamically significant stenosis into deciles. Discussion
Because the UKJR guideline is more comprehensive, we believe that adopting this guideline would enable the ultrasound practitioner to grade carotid stenoses more precisely, better understand the nuances of carotid duplex imaging and more successfully navigate and interpret complex carotid examinations, without impacting the number of patients eligible for CEA.
SUBMITTER: Curtis N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8409869 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:Background and purposeIntracranial atherosclerosis is a common cause of ischemic stroke. Intracranial stenosis is most commonly quantified by the Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease method, which involves calculating a ratio of luminal diameter measurements on conventional angiography. Our purpose was to determine whether a single linear measurement of the narrowest caliber of the intracranial ICA on MRA can accurately predict Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease stenosis measurements.Materials and methodsWe identified patients from a prospective stroke registry who had undergone head MRAs to quantitatively evaluate the degree of Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease-derived stenosis in each intracranial ICA. We also made a single linear millimeter measurement at the site of maximal narrowing of the ICA. We calculated a correlation coefficient between the lumen diameter in millimeters and percentage Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease stenosis. We performed receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine optimal luminal diameter cutoff values.ResultsIn 386 unique intracranial ICAs, we found a strong linear relationship between single lumen measurements and Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease-style stenosis measurements (R = -0.84, P < .0001). We found that ICA lumen diameters of ≤2.1 and ≤1.3 mm were optimal cutoffs for identifying patients with ≥50% stenosis and ≥70% stenosis, respectively (area under the curve = 0.96 and 0.99, respectively).ConclusionsThere is a strong linear relationship between the narrowest lumen diameter of the intracranial ICA and percentage stenosis. Our results suggest that a single lumen diameter measurement on MRA allows accurate estimation of Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease stenosis, which may affect risk stratification and treatment decisions.
| S-EPMC5433892 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Diagnostic criteria to classify severity of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis vary across vascular laboratories. Consensus-based criteria, proposed by the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound in 2003 (SRUCC), have been broadly implemented but have not been adequately validated. We conducted a multicentered, retrospective correlative imaging study of duplex ultrasound versus catheter angiography for evaluation of severity of ICA stenosis. Velocity data were abstracted from bilateral duplex studies performed between 1/1/2009 and 12/31/2015 and studies were interpreted using SRUCC. Percentage ICA stenosis was determined using North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) methodology. Receiver operating characteristic analysis evaluated the performance of SRUCC parameters compared with angiography. Of 448 ICA sides (from 224 patients), 299 ICA sides (from 167 patients) were included. Agreement between duplex ultrasound and angiography was moderate (κ = 0.42), with overestimation of degree of stenosis for both moderate (50-69%) and severe (⩾ 70%) ICA lesions. The primary SRUCC parameter for ⩾ 50% ICA stenosis of peak-systolic velocity (PSV) of ⩾ 125 cm/sec did not meet prespecified thresholds for adequate sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (sensitivity 97.8%, specificity 64.2%, accuracy 74.5%). Test performance was improved by raising the PSV threshold to ⩾ 180 cm/sec (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 81.6%, accuracy 85.2%) or by adding the additional parameter of ICA/common carotid artery (CCA) PSV ratio ⩾ 2.0 (sensitivity 94.3%, specificity 84.3%, accuracy 87.4%). For ⩾ 70% ICA stenosis, analysis was limited by a low number of cases with angiographically severe disease. Interpretation of carotid duplex examinations using SRUCC resulted in significant overestimation of severity of ICA stenosis when compared with angiography; raising the PSV threshold for ⩾ 50% ICA stenosis to ⩾ 180 cm/sec as a single parameter or requiring the ICA/CCA PSV ratio ⩾ 2.0 in addition to PSV of ⩾ 125 cm/sec for laboratories using the SRUCC is recommended to improve the accuracy of carotid duplex examinations.
| S-EPMC8493430 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Moyamoya is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by progressive stenosis of the intracranial internal carotid arteries. There are two forms: Disease and Syndrome, with each characterized by the sub-population it affects. Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) is more prominent in adults in their 20's-40's, and is often associated with autoimmune diseases. Currently, there are no surgical models for inducing moyamoya syndrome, so our aim was to develop a new animal model to study this relatively unknown cerebrovascular disease. Here, we demonstrate a new surgical technique termed internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS), to mimic MMS using micro-coils on the proximal ICA. We tested for Moyamoya-like vasculopathies by fluorescently labelling the mouse cerebrovasculature with Di I for visualization and analysis of vessel diameter at the distal ICA and anastomoses on the cortical surface. Results show a significant narrowing of the distal ICA and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in the Circle of Willis, as observed in humans. There is also a significant decrease in the number of anastomoses between the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the ACA in the watershed region of the cortex. While further characterization is needed, this ICAS model can be applied to transgenic mice displaying co-morbidities as observed within the Moyamoya syndrome population, allowing a better understanding of the disease and development of novel treatments.
| S-EPMC5764405 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Atherosclerotic intracranial internal carotid artery stenosis (IICAS) is a leading cause of strokes. Due to the limitations of major cerebral imaging techniques, the early diagnosis of IICAS remains challenging. Clinical studies have revealed that arterial stenosis may have complicated effects on the blood flow's velocity from a distance. Therefore, based on a patient-specific one-dimensional hemodynamic model, we quantitatively investigated the effects of IICAS on extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) flow velocity waveforms to identify sensitive hemodynamic indices for IICAS diagnoses. Classical hemodynamic indices, including the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI), were calculated on the basis of simulations with and without IICAS. In addition, the first harmonic ratio (FHR), which is defined as the ratio between the first harmonic amplitude and the sum of the amplitudes of the 1st-20th order harmonics, was proposed to evaluate flow waveform patterns. To investigate the diagnostic performance of the indices, we included 52 patients with mild-to-moderate IICAS (<70%) in a case-control study and considered 24 patients without stenosis as controls. The simulation analyses revealed that the existence of IICAS dramatically increased the FHR and decreased the PSV and EDV in the same patient. Statistical analyses showed that the average PSV, EDV, and RI were lower in the stenosis group than in the control group; however, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups, except for the PSV of the right ICA (p = 0.011). The FHR was significantly higher in the stenosis group than in the control group (p < 0.001), with superior diagnostic performance. Taken together, the FHR is a promising index for the early diagnosis of IICAS using carotid Doppler ultrasound methods.
| S-EPMC9495671 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To assess the optimal method for grading carotid artery stenosis with computed tomographic angiography (CTA), we compared visual estimation to caliper measurements, and determined inter-observer variability and agreement relative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We included 46 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis for whom CTA and DSA of 55 carotids was available. Stenosis quantification by CTA using visual estimation (CTA(VE)) (method 1) was compared with caliper measurements using subjectively optimized wide window settings (method 2) or predefined contrast-dependent narrow window settings (method 3). Measurements were independently performed by two radiologists and two residents. To determine accuracy and inter-observer variability, we calculated linear weighted kappa, performed a Bland-Altman analysis and calculated mean difference (bias) and standard deviation of differences (SDD). For inter-observer variability, kappa analysis was "very good" (0.85) for expert observers using CTA(VE) compared with "good" (0.61) for experts using DSA. Compared with DSA, method 1 led to overestimation (bias 5.8-8.0%, SDD 10.6-14.4), method 3 led to underestimation (bias -6.3 to -3.0%, SDD 13.0-18.1). Measurement variability between DSA and visual estimation on CTA (SDD 11.5) is close to the inter-observer variability of repeated measurements on DSA that we found in this study (SDD 11.6). For CTA of carotids, stenosis grading based on visual estimation provides better agreement to grading by DSA compared with stenosis grading based on caliper measurements.
| S-EPMC2778777 | biostudies-other
Project description:PURPOSE:To enhance the utility of acceleration time (AcT) in the diagnosis of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, we assessed the value of AcT measurements with different waveform patterns. METHODS:Ninety-three patients with acute atherothrombotic cerebral infarction were enrolled, and they underwent both carotid ultrasonography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). AcT was determined by a conventional procedure (using the first peak point or the bending point) and the peak systolic velocity (PSV) procedure. The AcT ratio was calculated as (AcT of ICA)/(AcT of the ipsilateral common carotid artery). We evaluated the correlation of stenosis rate as assessed by the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial method using DSA (DSA-NASCET) with the AcT of ICA (ICA-AcT), the AcT ratio measured by the conventional procedure (conventional AcT ratio), and the AcT ratio measured by the PSV procedure (PSV AcT ratio). The area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) for DSA-NASCET was calculated based on the ICA-AcT and AcT ratio. RESULTS:Forty-five vessels had 50% or greater ICA stenosis. DSA-NASCET was positively correlated with the conventional AcT ratio (r?=?0.723), conventional ICA-AcT (r?=?0.638), and PSV AcT ratio (r?=?0.245). The corresponding AUCs for ICA stenosis ??50% were 0.971, 0.886, and 0.572, respectively. CONCLUSION:We demonstrated the usefulness of the conventional procedure for diagnosing stenosis of ICA origin using AcT and showed that the AcT ratio was a more beneficial parameter than AcT.
| S-EPMC7181545 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The impact of glucose fluctuation on intracranial artery stenosis remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between glucose fluctuation and intracranial artery stenosis. This was a cross-sectional study of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients equipped with the FreeStyle Libre Pro continuous glucose monitoring system (Abbott Laboratories) between February 2019 and June 2020. Glucose fluctuation was evaluated according to the standard deviation (SD) of blood glucose, coefficient of variation (%CV), and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE). Magnetic resonance angiography was used to evaluate the degree of intracranial artery stenosis. Of the 103 patients, 8 patients developed severe internal carotid artery (ICA) siphon stenosis (≥70%). SD, %CV, and MAGE were significantly higher in the severe stenosis group than in the non-severe stenosis group (<70%), whereas there was no significant intergroup difference in the mean blood glucose and HbA1c. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex showed that SD, %CV, and MAGE were independent factors associated with severe ICA siphon stenosis. In conclusion, glucose fluctuation is significantly associated with severe ICA siphon stenosis in T2DM patients. Thus, glucose fluctuation can be a target of preventive therapies for intracranial artery stenosis and ischemic stroke.
| S-EPMC8308661 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Various surgical treatments are available for occlusive subclavian and common carotid artery diseases. Nevertheless, to date, when cerebral endovascular treatment is utilized, revascularization via direct surgery may be required. This study reported five symptomatic cases of revascularization for CCA and SCA occlusive and stenotic lesions that were expected to be challenging to treat with endovascular treatment. We performed subclavian artery-common carotid artery or internal carotid artery bypass using artificial blood vessels or saphenous vein grafts in five patients with subclavian steal syndrome, symptomatic common carotid artery occlusion, and severe proximal common carotid artery stenosis. In this study, good bypass patency was achieved in all five cases. Although there were no intraoperative complications, one patient had a postoperative lymphatic leak. Moreover, there was no recurrence of stroke during postoperative follow-up for an average of 2 years. Conclusively, subclavian artery-common carotid artery bypass can be an effective surgical treatment for common carotid artery occlusion, proximal common carotid artery stenosis, and subclavian artery occlusion.
| S-EPMC10325775 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care (2008 update) recommend that patients with neurologic symptoms secondary to severe internal carotid artery stenosis undergo carotid endarterectomy within 14 days of symptom onset to prevent stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify patient and system factors associated with meeting, or failing to meet, the guideline.MethodsIn this case-control study, potential study participants were identified through an electronic search of the Discharge Abstract Database. We reviewed the charts of patients who presented to our centre with neurologic symptoms ipsilateral to internal carotid artery stenosis of 70%-99% and underwent carotid endarterectomy in our centre between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2014. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with meeting, or failing to meet, the guideline.ResultsOf the 412 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy during the study period, 219 met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-seven patients (30.6%) met the 14-day guideline. Thirty (14.2%) of the 212 patients who could be classified as case or control subjects did not access the health care system within 14 days. Once in the health care system, failure to meet the guideline was associated with a presentation of amaurosis fugax (odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-0.96 compared to completed minor stroke) and presentation to a nonemergency outpatient setting (OR 9.08, 95% CI 2.51-32.80 compared to emergency department).InterpretationImprovements in meeting the goal of carotid endarterectomy within 14 days of symptom onset for severe internal carotid artery stenosis should be directed at patient and system factors. A system for rapid diagnosis and referral of symptomatic patients to an appropriate surgeon should be established.
| S-EPMC7869657 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Only a very few studies had compared the differences in topographic patterns of cerebral infarcts between middle cerebral artery (MCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) disease. Besides, the comparison of clinical features and outcomes between MCA and ICA disease had rarely been reported. OBJECTIVES:To compare the clinical, imaging features and outcome of MCA versus ICA disease. METHODS:We prospectively enrolled 1172 patients with noncardiogenic ischemic stroke in ipsilateral ICA or MCA territory. Clinical, neuroradiologic and outcome of the two groups were compared in this observational cohort study. RESULTS:The ICA group more frequently presented with decreased alertness, gaze palsy, aphasia, and neglect than the MCA group at admission, and more often had higher National Institute of Health stroke scale score at admission and discharge. Meanwhile, the ICA group more frequently had multiple acute infarcts, watershed infarcts, territorial infarct, small cortical infarct, and responsible artery stenosis ≥70%. Whereas penetrating artery infarct and parent artery occluding penetrating artery was more often associated with MCA disease. The ICA group more frequently had inhospital complications of pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis, more often had disability at discharge, and had more recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in 1 Year. Multivariable logistic regression identified male (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.30 to 3.05; P = 0.002), history of coronary heart disease (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.32; P = 0.041), multiple acute infarcts (OR, 4.18; 95% CI, 2.07 to 8.45; P<0.0001), and territorial infarct (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.52 to 3.27; P<0.0001) was more often associated with ICA territory disease. CONCLUSIONS:The clinical, radiologic characteristics and outcome are distinctively different between ICA and MCA disease. Compared to MCA disease, ICA disease has more serious clinical and radiologic manifestation, and poorer outcome.
| S-EPMC6894760 | biostudies-literature