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There have been significant advances in vascular surgery in recent years. These advances include procedural techniques, choice of procedure, and application of nonoperative management. Endovascular techniques have expanded greatly over the past decade. As a result, for many clinical scenarios there is more than 1 option for management, which has given rise to controversies in the choice of best management. This article reviews current controversies in the management of carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, acute deep venous thrombosis, and inferior vena cava filter placement.

Aims In this study we investigated the relationship between cardiovascular instability and the size of the developed ischaemic lesions during carotid stent implantation by diffusion-weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance (MR) examination. Material and methods We retrospectively analyzed anaesthesia reports and follow-up MR examinations after stent implantation of 192 patients in a 3-year period. Nineteen aspects of cardiovascular status were analyzed. We registered the duration of the intervention, low and high blood pressure (BP) values during anaesthesia and heart rates. The fluctuations of BP and heart rate and the time of their compensations after the stent expansion were also recorded. Values were compared with the number and the size of ischaemic lesions on DWI scans. We used Spearman and Kendall rank correlations and Welch’s tests for statistical analysis. Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results Decreased heart rate significantly correlated with the number ( p = 0.0123) and size ( p = 0.00323) of ischaemic lesions during stent expansion. Other cardiovascular parameters did not show any significant correlations. Conclusions Our results indicate that only heart rate attenuation affects the size of ischaemic lesions; thus the prevention of bradycardia is highly important.

Objective: We report carotid artery stenting (CAS) using balloon-expandable coronary (BECo) stent. The materials in this study consist of 15 cases of high-grade stenosis in internal carotid artery (ICA) in which self-expanding carotid (SECa) stent was not utilized. There were two groups why BECo stent was used instead of SECa stent: alternative group and intentional group. The alternative group was subdivided into two groups: access difficulty of guiding catheter and access difficulty of SECa stent. Case Presentation: The alternative group included 11 cases (access difficulty of guiding catheter in 10 and access difficulty of SECa stent in 1), and the intentional group included 4 cases. There were four cases using transbrachial approach. All the intentional group cases were the first stage of staged angioplasty (SAP). The second stage of SAP was PTA in two and SECa stent over the BECo stent in two. There was no complication related to CAS. Conclusion: CAS using BECo stent is one of the choices for the first stage of SAP, if stent placement instead of PTA is required at the first stage. It is also the useful alternative for the patient having difficulty of SECa stent.

Introduction Carotid web is increasingly recognized as the cause of ischemic embolic strokes in younger patients. The best way to treat carotid web is debatable and carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been reported as a treatment for the carotid web in only a few case series. In this study we evaluate the safety and feasibility of CAS in symptomatic carotid webs and examined the histopathology of a carotid web. Materials and methods At our institution between 2017 and 2019, 10 consecutive patients with symptomatic carotid webs were treated. We retrospectively analyzed the data for patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging, treatment methodology and follow up. Results All the patients had presented with ipsilateral embolic stroke. The mean age at presentation was 50 years (range 37–71) with seven female and three male patients. All patients underwent CAS except one patient who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In one stented patient, there was significant hypotension in the post-procedural period lasting a week. The patients were followed for a mean of 5.5 months (range one day-12 months). No recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurred. Surgical pathological studies confirmed fibromuscular dysplasia in one specimen. Conclusion In our experience CAS for carotid web is feasible and safe in patients presenting with ischemic embolic strokes.

Background: The purpose of the study was the comparative assessment of ticagrelor and clopidogrel effects on carotid post-balloon injury (PBI) and on post carotid artery stenting (CAS) rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and in-stent thrombosis in atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods: Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits on high-fat diet were randomized into 4 groups: A1: PBI and clopidogrel (30 mg/kg/d), A2: PBI and ticagrelor (21 mg/kg twice daily), B1: PBI, CAS, and clopidogrel (30 mg/kg/d), B2: PBI, CAS, and ticagrelor (21 mg/kg twice daily). All rabbits received orally aspirin (10 mg/kg/d) and interventions were performed in their right carotid arteries (RCAs). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and carotid angiography were performed at end point, while platelet aggregation and lipid profile were measured. After euthanasia both carotids were obtained for histological examination. Results: In B1 group, 3 rabbits presented thrombotic total occlusion of the stents, while none such episode was observed in B2 group. The neointimal areas in RCAs, calculated by OCT, did not differ between A1 and A2 groups, and between B1 and B2 groups ( P > .05). From the histological findings, the intima/(media + intima) percentage (%) in RCAs of balloon-injured rabbits did not present any difference between groups ( P = .812). Similarly, the immunohistochemically determined accumulation of endothelial cells and macrophages on vascular walls was equivalent between groups ( P > .05). Conclusion: Following carotid balloon injury and stenting, clopidogrel and ticagrelor did not show any differential effects on the extent of neointimal formation and ISR in atherosclerotic rabbits receiving aspirin. Three thrombotic stent occlusions were noted in the clopidogrel treatment group, but this finding was not statistically significant.

Background Coronary artery disease requiring coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) frequently coexists with critical carotid stenosis. The most optimized strategy for treating concomitant carotid and coronary artery disease remains debatable. Objective The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare synchronous CAS and CABG versus staged CAS and CABG for patients with concomitant coronary artery disease and carotid artery stenosis in terms of peri-operative (30-day) and long-term clinical outcomes. Methods This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane database until December 2019. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of a random effects model. The I-square statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Results Four studies comprising 357 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Patients who were treated with the synchronous approach had a statistically significant higher risk for peri-operative stoke (OR: 3.71; 95% CI: 1.00–13.69; I2 = 0%) compared tο the staged group. Peri-operative mortality (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 0.88–23.01; I2 = 0%), myocardial infarction (MI) (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.18– 13.09; I2 = 0%), postoperative bleeding (OR: 0.27;95% CI: 0.02–3.12; I2 = 0%), transient ischemic attacks (TIA) (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.04– 9.20; I2 = 0.0%), acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.03–4.03; I2 = 0.0%) and atrial fibrillation rates (OR:0.27; 95% CI: 0.02–3.12; I2 = 0.0%) were similar between the two groups. Synchronous CAS-CABG and staged CAS followed by CABG were associated with similar rates of late mortality (OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 0.50–27.94; I2 = 0.0%), MI (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.01–12.03; I2 = 0.0%) and stroke (OR:3.58; 95% CI:0.84–15.20; I2 = 0.0%) after a mean follow-up of 47 months. Conclusion The simultaneous approach was associated with an increased risk of 30-day stroke compared to staged CAS and CABG. However, no statistically significant difference was found in long-term results of mortality, MI and stroke between the two approaches. Future studies are warranted to validate our results.

Background Restenosis in first-generation (single-layer) carotid stents (FGS) is believed to represent an exaggerated healing response of (neo)intimal hyperplasia (NIH) formation. Rather than NIH, we describe symptomatic in-FGS unstable plaque (neo)atherosclerosis mandating re-revascularization. To halt continued plaque evolution, we propose a novel treatment strategy involving a microNet-covered stent (MCS, second-generation carotid stent) to sequestrate the plaque from the vessel lumen. A durable long-term result is documented using multi-modal imaging. Case summary With a seemingly optimal result of FGS (Precise) symptomatic carotid lesion revascularization followed by optimal medical therapy, a late (≥3 years) progressive in-stent restenosis (ISR) arose. At Year 11, crescendo ipsilateral transient ischaemic attacks occurred. Angiography showed an ulcerated tight lesion throughout stent length. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) virtual histology imaging revealed thin-cap fibroatheroma. Reintervention was performed under distal protection. Undersized balloon predilatation to insert a stent caused symptomatic no-flow, and aspiration catheter was used to reduce the filter load. A MCS (CGuard) was implanted and post-dilated to ensure full lumen gain; IVUS confirmed complete plaque sequestration. The optimal anatomic result remained unchanged throughout 5 years (ultrasound and computed tomography verification); this was accompanied by clinical cure. Discussion This is the first demonstration of in-FGS (neo)atherosclerosis resolution using an MCS to sequestrate and insulate the atherosclerotic plaque. We show that ISR may be underlined by atherosclerotic plaque progression via the FGS single-layer stent struts that may show vulnerable plaque phenotype and may be associated with cerebral ischaemia. The anatomically and clinically effective exclusion of the atherosclerotic plaque by an MCS enabled lasting, optimal endovascular reconstruction and clinical cure.

Introduction: Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms (ECCAs) are rare pathologies with various etiologies, presentations, and management strategies. Historically, open aneurysm resection and arterial repair have been the gold standard management of ECCAs. Our study examines the evolving experience with endovascular management of ECCAs. Methods: We performed a literature review of multiple studies on endovascular and open management of carotid artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms. Conclusions: Endovascular stenting is technically feasible and clinically effective for the treatment of carotid artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms. Further follow-up is required regarding long-term safety and efficacy.

Background Thromboembolic complications are serious adverse events associated with stenting of intracranial aneurysms. For the development of novel devices, currently no practical model exists to evaluate distal embolic events. The purpose of the current study was 2-fold: 1) assess the feasibility of a porcine carotid bifurcation model for in vivo testing of stent thrombogenicity and 2) compare the thrombogenicity of the Enterprise vascular reconstruction device versus the Pipeline embolization device (PED). Methods Six Yorkshire pigs underwent implantation of size-matched devices across the carotid bifurcation. Each animal received 1 Enterprise and 1 PED contralaterally. Baseline and 2-week follow-up angiography were performed. Images were analyzed including detailed measurements of the rete mirabile, a small-vessel conglomerate supplied by branches of the common carotid artery. Results In the absence of thromboembolic events at 2 weeks (n = 8), the perfused rete area measured 134.4 ± 6.9 mm2. In the presence of thromboembolic events (n = 4), the perfused rete was reduced to an area covering 37.1 ± 8.6 mm2 (P 0.99). Conclusion The swine carotid stent model allows in vivo analysis of device-related thrombogenicity and distal embolic event rates. Size reduction of the perfused rete mirabile indicates the presence of thromboembolic events. Both Enterprise and PED were associated with similar thrombogenicity in this experiment.

Objectives. The carotid-cavernous fi stula (CCF) represents an abnormal communication developed between the internal and/or the external carotid artery (ICA, ECA) or their branches and the cavernous sinus (CS). We report this case in order to highlight the course and an alternative to treatment of a CCF. Material and methods. A 47-year old male patient with medical history of subarachnoid hemorrhage and cranio-facial comminuted fractures due to a motorcycle accident-induced craniofacial traumatism (4 months prior to admission) was referred to our clinic for further investigation regarding a potential CCF. Results. The cerebral digital substraction angiography showed a direct CCF type A. The Neurology and Interventional Radiology team opted for endovascular stent-grafting of the right ICA. Conclusions. This case is presented in order to highlight that angioplasty with stent-graft is a safe and effectiveprocedure in selected cases of CCF.

Objectives Many studies showed that platelet reactivity testing can predict ischemic events after carotid stenting or ischemic stroke. The aim of our study was to assess the role of early platelet function monitoring in predicting 90-days functional outcome, stent thrombosis and hemorrhagic transformation in patients with ischemic stroke treated with endovascular procedures requiring emergent extracranial stenting. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective study on consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation stroke admitted to our hospital between January 2015 and March 2020, in whom platelet reactivity testing was performed within 10 days from stenting. Patients were divided according to validated cutoffs in acetylsalicylic acid and Clopidogrel responders and not responders. Group comparison and regression analyses were performed to identify differences between groups and outcome predictors. Results We included in the final analysis 54 patients. Acetylsalicylic acid resistance was an independent predictor of poor 90 days outcome (OR for modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤ 2: 0.10 95% CI: 0.02 – 0.69) whereas Clopidogrel resistance was an independent predictor of good outcome (OR for mRS ≤ 2: 7.09 95%CI: 1.33 – 37.72). Acetylsalicylic acid resistance was also associated with increased 90-days mortality (OR: 18.42; 95% CI: 1.67 – 203.14). Conclusion We found a significant association between resistance to acetylsalicylic acid and poor 90-days functional outcome and between resistance to Clopidogrel and good 90-days functional outcome. If confirmed, our results might improve pharmacological management after acute carotid stenting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on performance of neuroendovascular procedures has not been quantified. METHODS We performed an audit of performance of neuroendovascular procedures at 18 institutions (seven countries) for two periods; January‐April 2019 and 2020, to identify changes in various core procedures. We divided the region where the hospital was located based on the median value of total number of COVID‐19 cases per 100,00 population‐into high and low prevalent regions. RESULTS Between 2019 and 2020, there was a reduction in number of cerebral angiograms (30.9% reduction), mechanical thrombectomy (8% reduction), carotid artery stent placement for symptomatic (22.7% reduction) and asymptomatic (43.4% reduction) stenoses, intracranial angioplasty and/or stent placement (45% reduction), and endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (44.6% reduction) and ruptured (22.9% reduction) and unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (66.4% reduction). There was an increase in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (10% increase) and other neuroendovascular procedures (34.9% increase). There was no relationship between procedural volume change and intuitional location in high or low COVID‐19 prevalent regions. The procedural volume reduction was mainly observed in March‐April 2020. CONCLUSIONS We provided an international multicenter view of changes in neuroendovascular practices to better understand the gaps in provision of care and identify individual procedures, which are susceptible to change.

The prevention of atherosclerotic plaque fragmentation during carotid artery stenting is a fundamental problem in decreasing the risk of disability of patients. The goal of this review is to clarify whether the stent design can have a decisive impact on the rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications.Different designs of the carotid stents are briefed and the advantages and disadvantages of different stent designs are discussed as well as the results of their clinical use. Various solutions are presented to reduce cerebral embolism during carotid artery stenting.There is no conclusive evidence for the benefits of closed cell and hybrid stents. The stent design cannot completely resolve the problem of cerebral embolism. Most of the events of cerebral microembolism occur at the stages of stent delivery rather than protrusion of an atherosclerotic plaque in the long-term follow-up. Most likely, minimization of the risks for periprocedural and postprocedural strokes requires not only the new solutions in stent design as well as the corresponding delivery systems and brain embolic protection systems, but also the new strategies of preprocedural drug stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery.

Patient selection for endovascular intervention in extracranial carotid disease is centered on vascular anatomy. We review anatomical considerations for non-traumatic disease and offer guidelines in patient selection and management. We conducted a systematic literature review without meta-analysis for studies involving anatomical considerations in extracranial carotid intervention for non-traumatic disease. Anatomical considerations discussed included aortic arch variants, degree of vessel stenosis, angulation, tortuosity, and anomalous origins, and atheromatous plaque morphology, composition, and location. Available literature suggests that anatomical risks of morbidity are largely secondary to increased procedural times and difficulties in intervention system delivery. We recommend the prioritization of endovascular techniques on an individual basis in cases where accessible systems and surgeon familiarity provide an acceptable likelihood of rapid access and device deployment.

The use of minimally invasive endovascular procedures has increased, and as such, the frequency of associated vascular complications has also increased. Regardless of the access site location, rarely, arterial perforation can occur, which can be fatal if not properly managed. Interventionalists should be aware of the risk factors for perforation, commonly perforated vessels, and how different sites of perforation are diagnosed and managed. Rapid recognition and endovascular management reduce the need for open surgical repair, and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality of these complications. This review outlines the presentation, diagnosis, and management of iatrogenic perforations of the subclavian artery, thyrocervical trunk (TT), common carotid artery, superficial femoral artery (SFA), and external iliac artery.

After carotid artery stenting, retrieval of the embolic protection device can sometimes be difficult due to incomplete stent expansion, stent fracture, vasospasm, and vessel tortuosity. In this technical report, we describe a novel rescue technique used in a patient with diffuse calcific atherosclerosis of the left common and proximal left internal carotid arteries who underwent left internal carotid artery stenting with cerebral protection and in whom, due to an under-expanded proximal carotid stent strut in relation to a densely calcified plaque, we were initially unable to advance the retrieval device.

Thromboembolic complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS) remain an unsolved problem, and several intravascular imaging tools have been proposed to clarify the mechanism of these complications. We report a case of intraprocedural plaque protrusion revealed by angioscopy. A 64-year-old woman underwent CAS for left carotid artery stenosis. After stent placement, optical frequency domain imaging demonstrated some plaque protrusion, and angioscopy showed prominent mobile plaque fragments protruding into the vessel between stent struts and confirmed the coverage of the protruded plaque after the overlapping stent was placed. Compared with other tools, angioscopy more clearly revealed plaque protrusion in the vessel after CAS.

There is not a widely accepted optimal rate of stent opening in patients underwent carotid artery stenting. In this study we evaluated the effect of carotid stent opening rate (CSOR) without performing post-dilation on in-hospital and long-term outcomes.A total of 825 patient patients underwent carotid artery stenting without post-dilation enrolled to the study. The patients divided into two groups according to their final CSOR (50% ≤ Post-stent deployment (SD)80% and 80% ≤ Post-SD ≤ 100%). In-hospital and 3-year outcomes were compared between the groups.During hospitalization, the rate of ipsilateral stroke, major stroke and transient ischemic attacks were similar between the groups (respectively; 6.2% vs. 4.1, P = 0.190; 1.5% vs. 1.8, P = 0.811; 1.5% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.683). The 3-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival rates for the first and second groups were 87.6% and 84.4%, respectively (log rank test P = 0.426). The 3-year Kaplan-Meier overall cumulative ipsilateral stroke rates for the first and second groups were 88.0% and 88.6%, respectively (log rank test P = 0.409) CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that a CSOR higher than 50% without performing a post-dilation might be an effective therapeutic approach since there was not a significant difference regarding outcomes between the patients with a 50% ≤ Post-SD80% and 80% ≤ Post-SD ≤ 100%. The need for post-stent balloon dilation might have been eliminated due to subsequent stent self-expansion.

Benign Early Repolarization is seen most commonly in young males and is thought to arise from left ventricular hypertrophy, vagal tone and hereditary predilection. This case describes an elderly man with Early Repolarization mimicking acute myocardial infarction after a carotid stent procedure.

Background: Carotid revascularization procedure, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stent placement (CAS), are some of the most common procedures performed in United States and expected to change due to wider adoption of CAS. We performed this study to determine the changes in utilization of CEA and CAS in United States using nationally representative data. Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2005 to 2014 to assess the changes in utilization of CEA and CAS over last 10 years in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. NIS is the largest all payer dataset that includes diagnoses, admissions and discharge, demographics, and outcomes data of patients admitted to short stay non-Federal hospitals in the United States. We analyzed patterns of changes in utilization in various subsets of patients with carotid artery stenosis. Results: A total of 1,186,182 patients underwent carotid revascularization procedures during study period; 1,032,148 (87.1%) and 154,035 (12.9%) were CEA and CAS, respectively. The overall carotid revascularization procedures decreased over last 10 years (11.1% in 2005 to 8.4%in 2014, trend test p Conclusion: Although CAS is increasing in a disproportionate manner within patient subgroups in United States, overall carotid revascularization procedures have decreased for unclear reasons.

Purpose: To investigate the short-term outcomes and complications of straight vs tapered carotid stent placement for patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to examine if tapered carotid stents (TCS) performed better than straight carotid stents (SCS) in terms of complications and outcomes in patients with a unilateral, symptomatic, internal carotid artery stenosis ⩾70%. Between January 2014 and January 2016, 236 patients were screened; 88 were excluded, leaving 148 patients for 1:1 randomization to carotid artery stenting with either SCS or TCS. The data were analyzed for differences between the groups in terms of complications (hemodynamic depression, cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, puncture site sequelae) and endpoint events (stroke, myocardial infarction, and death) at 30 days and 6 months. Results: Two patients in the TCS group underwent endarterectomy after allocation, leaving 72 patients (mean age 65.1±8.8 years; 59 men) in the TCS group for analysis vs 74 (mean age 65.0±7.9 years; 58 men) in the SCS group. The technical success was 100% in both groups. The incidence of hemodynamic depression (hypotension and bradycardia) after the procedures were higher in the SCS group (p=0.04), and the patients who underwent SCS procedures had longer hospital stays (p=0.01). There was no difference in the incidences of complications, myocardial infarction, mortality, or stroke at 30 days or 6 months between the SCS and TCS groups. The rates of restenosis (4% SCS vs 1% TCS) were similar (p=0.63); all restenoses were moderate (50%–70%). Conclusion: When compared to straight stents, tapered carotid stents significantly decreased hemodynamic complications and hospital stay.

Clinical application of bare metal stents is constrained by the occurrence of instent restenosis, mainly due to the complex biomechanical environment in the body. Numerical simulation method was used to evaluate the effect of plaque composition on stent performance in a carotid artery. CT angiography (CTA) data were used as a reference, and zero-load state of the carotid artery was used to establish a 3D stenotic artery model. Different plaque compositions, calcified and hypo-cellular were defined in Model 1 and Model 2, respectively. Interactions between the stents and arterial tissues within the stent crimping-expansion process were analyzed to explore the effects of plaque composition on the mechanical parameters of carotid stents. Goodman diagram and fatigue safety factor (FSF) were analyzed to explore the effects of plaque composition on fatigue performance of a carotid stent in the stent service process. In the stent crimping-expansion process, the von Mises stress in the stent and the dog-boning ratio in Model 1 were higher than that in Model 2. The calcified plaque prevented the stent from expanding the stenotic vessel to a pre-set diameter. Thus, the risk of rupture in the calcified plaque was higher than that in the hypo-cellular plaque. Plaque also affected the stress/strain in the vessel wall, which was observed to be lower in Model 1 than in Model 2. This indicated that calcified plaque could decrease the stress-induced injury of arterial tissues. Within the stent service process, the stents used in these two models were predicted to not fail under fatigue rupture as calculated by the Goodman diagram. Additionally, the points closer to the fatigue limit were generally observed at the inner bend of the stent crowns. The FSF of the stent in Model 1 was lower than that in Model 2. The stent operating in the presence of calcified plaques suffered high risk of fractures. Reliability and fatigue performance of the stent were found to be associated with plaque composition. Hence, this study may provide stent designers an approach toward enhancing the mechanical reliability of a stent.

Innovation in medicine is often driven by the observations of imaginative physicians who are blessed with insatiable curiosity, coupled with the inability to accept technical boundaries, the status quo of patient care, or the acceptance of procedural morbidity. Few examples illustrate this truism better than the physician-originated clinical research that transformed the safety of carotid stent angioplasty over the last 2 decades. Initial clinical application of carotid stenting suggested that proximal protection may be a better approach to prevent embolic stroke during the angioplasty procedure. The history of how this innovation was developed is particularly relevant as vascular surgeons adopt new endovascular therapies. It has been more than 15 years since Dr Juan Parodi put together a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians to test the “proximal protection” hypothesis. The goal of this overview was to provide Dr Parodi team’s perspective on the development of the proximal protection and flow reversal concept to minimize plaque embolization during carotid stent angioplasty procedures.

Consider optical coherence tomography as an adjunct to visualize the membrane of a carotid web, the extent of the web, and aid in placement of a carotid stent.

Carotid artery stenting is a method used in the treatment of extracranial carotid artery stenosis that is becoming increasingly more common. Acute carotid thrombosis following CAS is a very rare and devastating complication that can be lethal for the patient unless treated immediately. We report a case of acute carotid stent thrombosis occurring immediately after emergent revascularization, and that was treated with intraarterial tissue plasminogen activator and intravenous tirofiban infusion.

Previous radical neck dissection and neck irradiation pose considerable operative risks in patients requiring carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid disease. Carotid stenting is an acceptable alternative for these patients but carries a higher risk of cerebrovascular accidents especially in patients with type III aortic arch anatomy. Herein, we present a technically challenging case of a patient with an irradiated neck and a history of radical neck dissection who presented with a symptomatic high-grade left internal carotid artery stenosis in the setting of a type III aortic arch. He was treated via a hybrid approach for carotid artery stenting.

Purpose: To evaluate a MicroNet-covered stent designed for the carotid artery with the new ability to adjust to different vessel diameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients (mean age 72.1±7.7 years; 26 men) with symptomatic stenosis (86.3%±6.4%) of the internal carotid artery were treated with the new self-adjusting nitinol stent, which has a self-expanding, open-cell design covered by an outer conformable layer (MicroNet). The only stent used was the “One-Size-Fits-All” CGuard stent with lengths of 30 or 40 mm. In bench testing, the chronic outward force of the One-Size-Fits-All stent was determined with a segmented head radial force test device. The stent was deployed directly into the test device at a diameter of 5.0 mm, and the chronic outward force was measured up to 10.0 mm, the maximum expansion of the stent. Results: The stent was successfully implanted in all 30 patients without periprocedural complications, including no neurological events within 30 days. The chronic outward force normalized by stent length demonstrated a near-equivalent radial force outcome: The stent displayed only a minor difference between the minimal radial force at 9.0 mm (0.195 N/mm) and the maximal radial force at 5.5 mm (0.330 N/mm). Conclusion: The new self-adjusting, MicroNet-covered stent has high conformability combined with an almost equivalent radial force at expansion diameters ranging from 5.5 to 9.0 mm. The first clinical results demonstrate that the new One-Size-Fits-All stent can be safely implanted in internal carotid arteries with reference diameters within this range.

A 63-year-old female, hypertensive and diabetic, presented with transient ischemic attack involving right middle cerebral artery territory. MR revealed severe stenosis at the origin of the right internal carotid artery. Left ICA was blocked at its origin. The patient was planned for stent-assisted revascularization of the right ICA stenosis. Patient was on double antiplatelet therapy (Ecosprin 150 mg/day and Clopidogrel 75 mg/day) for 5 days before the procedure.

No consensus exists on the timing, safety, and efficacy of treating severe symptomatic aortic and carotid stenosis. In the older population and in the presence of multiple comorbidities that arise during the surgery, a less invasive transcatheter treatment may be the only reasonable option. We discuss this topic by analyzing a case of an 84-year-old man who underwent a combined single-stage transcatheter procedure.

AIMS: Conflicting data exist on the impact on outcome of the use of different stent types during carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes according to different carotid stent design among the population of the European Registry of Carotid Artery Stenting (ERCAS). METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study was conducted in 1,604 patients who underwent neuroprotected CAS in ERCAS. All types of commercially available carotid stent were used. Open-cell design stents were classified according to free cell area into 7.5 mm2. A total of 713 closed-cell, 456 hybrid-cell, 238 7.5 mm2 open-cell stents were implanted. Overall, the 30-day stroke and death rate was 1.37%. At 30 days, 19 strokes occurred (1.18%): eight in the group of patients treated with a closed-cell (1.12%), two in those with a hybrid-cell (0.44%), three in those with a 7.5 mm2 open-cell stent (3.05%) (p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Data of the present study suggest that, in the setting of neuroprotected CAS performed in high-volume centres by properly trained operators, the use of an open-cell design stent with a free cell area >7.5 mm2 may be associated with an increased 30-day stroke risk.

Resumen El cambio en el paradigma de tratamiento en la cirugia vascular se ha producido gracias al desarrollo de las tecnicas endovasculares, que se han ido posicionado como alternativa de tratamiento respecto a tecnicas quirurgicas tradicionales en multiples sectores de nuestra especialidad. Pero el sector carotideo supone una excepcion a este hecho, ya que los resultados de las tecnicas minimamente invasivas aun no han conseguido igualar a los de la tecnica quirurgica tradicional, la endarterectomia carotidea. El objetivo de este articulo de opinion es el de defender la adopcion de la endarterectomia carotidea quirurgica como la tecnica de eleccion para el tratamiento de la estenosis carotidea frente al stent carotideo, mediante una revision no sistematica de la literatura, de los ensayos clinicos de mayor impacto y de las principales recomendaciones de guias clinicas internacionales.

Background and purpose This study aimed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the efficacy of post-dilatation (PD) after stent placement for unstable plaques during carotid artery stenting (CAS) using closed-cell design stent. Materials and methods Twelve unstable carotid plaque lesions diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated by OCT during CAS. Pre-procedural minimum lumen diameter and area were 1.5 ± 0.6 mm and 2.6 ± 1.6 mm2, respectively. The lesion was pre-dilated with balloon catheters (diameter 4.8 ± 0.3 mm), and closed-cell stent was deployed. PD was performed with balloon catheters of the same size as those used for pre-dilatation. Minimum lumen diameter/area and in-stent tissue prolapse volume after stent placement and after PD were calculated by 2-dimensional cross section images. The number of the stent cells showing tissue prolapse and malapposition after stent-placement and after PD were calculated by 3-dimensional analysis. Results Compared to after stent placement, in-stent tissue prolapse volume (0.18 ± 0.10 to 0.22 ± 0.07 mm2/slice, P Conclusions PD after carotid stent placement caused increase in in-stent tissue prolapse volume and small tissue prolapse, however, the in-stent large tissue prolapse decreased, as the in-stent tissue prolapse may have been crushed into debris.

Multicentre prospective registry carotid artery stenting using new polish open-cells carotid stent MER. Study cohort: 100 patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid disease, qualificated for carotid artery stenting. Symptomatic patients 45%. Male 64%. Age 68.5 ± 8.24, min 51, max 85.

Yilmaz et al1 concluded that the recently introduced dual-layered stents have a higher risk of acute occlusion compared with single-layered stents in the treatment of acute stroke. This conclusion is not justified by their study.1 Yilmaz et al1 presented retrospective data for one specific dual-layered carotid stent type. However, dual-layered carotid stent designs exhibit fundamental differences (cf. the review by Musialek et al2 and references therein including the 2016 Journal of Endovascular Therapy commentary by Musialek and Hopf-Jensen, and articles on dual-layered carotid stents characteristics). Although they serve a common goal (minimizing intraprocedural and preventing postprocedural cerebral embolization),2–4 with the stent frame laser cut or braided,2 they differ significantly in mesh design including material and fabrication (poly-ethylene terephthalate or poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene versus braided nitinol),2 filament size,2 and mesh position relative to frame (outside versus inside).2 Those …

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro mechanical and clinical implant behavior of a next-generation double-layer stent designed for the carotid artery. Methods: The new double-layer CASPER-RX stent was implanted in 12 patients (median age 69 years; 8 men) with high-grade symptomatic internal carotid artery stenoses (mean 82%). In the in vitro experiments, the CASPER-RX stent (8-×40-mm model) was investigated with respect to its radial force on expansion and the bending stiffness of the stent system and of the stent in its expanded state, as well as the collapse pressure in a thin, flexible sleeve. The wall adaptation of the expanded stents was assessed by fluoroscopy after release in a step and curve model. Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients without complications; there was no peri- or postinterventional stroke and no stroke or restenosis after 6 months. In the experimental studies, the bending stiffness of the stent on the delivery system (154.9 N mm2) was significantly lower than when expanded in a 7-mm flexible tube (467.4 N mm2). The radial force on expansion of the stent to 7 mm was low (0.011 N/mm). The collapse pressure was relatively high (0.56 bar) as a result of the stent’s particular stent structure. The stent exhibited significant foreshortening of 27.6%. The conformability to the wall in the step model was relatively smooth; in the curve model, straightening occurred with consecutive slight stenosis. Conclusion: The first clinical results showed a safe implantation behavior without the occurrence of any ischemia. The structure of the new CASPER-RX stent creates an acceptable flexibility, low radial force, and high collapse pressure. The large foreshortening during implantation should be considered as well as the higher bending stiffness, especially when used in elongated carotid arteries.

Background: Stent design may influence the outcomes, suggesting that adverse event rates vary according to free cell area and cell design. Open cell design technology of self-expandable stents, dedicated for carotid revascularisation has better deliverability, although closed cell technology is expected to cause fewer thromboembolic events. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and vascular response of novel, hybrid cell, self-expandable nitinol stents (MER ® , Balton, Poland) implanted into porcine carotid arteries. Hybrid cell design combines open and closed cell technology. Methods: All tested stents were implanted with 10% overstretch into 10 carotid segments of Polish domestic pigs. Control angiography was obtained immediately before and after vascular interventions as well as 28 days after the procedure. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed, and the treated segments were harvested and evaluated in the independent histopathology laboratory. Results: All stents were easily introduced and implanted, showing good angiographic acute outcome. At 28 days, in the angiography, all vessels were patent with no signs of thrombi or excessive neointimal formation, with the late lumen loss of –0.11 ± 0.3 mm and percentage diameter stenosis 10.18 ± 8.1%. There was a 10% increase in the vessel reference diameter when compared to baseline (4.57 ± 0.5 vs. 4.96 ± 0.3 mm, p < 0.01). In the histopathology, mean area stenosis was 17.4% and mean intimal thickness was 0.20 mm. At histopathology, the mean injury, inflammation, and fibrin scores were low. Endothelialisation was complete in all stents, and neointimal tissue appeared moderately mature as shown by the moderate mean neointimal smooth muscle score. Nonetheless, histopathology shows one stent affected by peri-strut granulomas and one stent affected by marked mineralisation. Conclusions: The novel Polish self-expandable nitinol carotid stent with hybrid cell technology shows optimal biocompatibility and a vascular healing profile, and therefore may be introduced for first-in-man application.

Carotid stent angioplasty (CAS) has been shown to protect patient from future stroke long-term efficacy similar to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The risk of minor stroke in the perioperative period is higher than with CEA and not related to cerebral protection during the CAS procedure since a significant portion of the neurologic events occur between 1 and 30 days following stent deployment. This observation suggests mechanisms integral to the stent itself may be pertinent such as plaque embolization thru the stent struts may occur. It appears that this embolic risk can be reduced by use of specific carotid stent designs that include a mesh covering to minimize the open struts areas and thus embolization through the carotid stent. Improvements in stent design that eliminate post-procedural debris embolization will expand the application of CAS for severe internal carotid artery atherosclerotic stenosis.

Background Acute carotid stent thrombosis in patients undergoing CAS is a relatively rare and potentially devastating complication influencing significantly the quality of life. With the increasing use of stenting in clinical practice, it is expected to represent a more often encountered complication for physicians performing CAS. Emergent removal of the thrombosed stent and endarterectomy is indicated when the intrastent thrombosis is not associated with intracranial carotid branch thrombosis. Methods The technique and its peculiarities and tip and tricks of this carotid operation have not been described meticulously. We describe the steps of the surgical technique in detail, and we analyze crucial issues associated with the technique. Results We have performed this emergency operation in 2 patients with acute early stroke after CAS. Both patients presented recovery of their previous neurologic deficits and had uneventful postoperative course. Conclusions We illustrate the technique of emergent removal of the thrombosed stent after CAS. If carotid stent thrombosis with no distal extension is documented post procedurally, emergency stent removal and endarterectomy is the preferred strategy. Special care should be taken to avoid risk of clot dislocation and consequent cerebral embolization during the surgical exposure of the carotid bifurcation and placement of the vascular clamps.

Introduction: Carotid occlusions are responsible for 10-25% of large vessel acute ischemic strokes (AIS). While endovascular therapy (ET) is now standard of care for large vessel AIS, tandem lesions remain a therapeutic challenge. Outcomes of patients with tandem lesions undergoing ET with carotid revascularization remain unknown. We aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of acute carotid stent closure (ACSC) in AIS patients with tandem lesions undergoing ET. Methods: Retrospective review of endovascular database of AIS patients treated in a single tertiary care center from 2010-2016. Patients with tandem lesions identified. Baseline demographics, home medications, IV tPA use, procedural characteristics and outcomes collected. Patients grouped according to carotid stent patency. Data analyzed using SPSS. Factors with p < 0.20 included in multivariate model. Results: Out of 280 AIS patients undergoing ET, a total of 32 patients with tandem lesions identified. ACSC seen in 25% of patients. Baseline demographics similar in two groups. IV tPA use associated with 3 times greater risk of ACSC (12.5% vs 37.5%; p = 0.10). Number of stents (No ACSC 1.13 ± 0.33 vs ACSC 1.75 ± 1.04; p = 0.013) significant in univariate analysis. Baseline mRS, IV tPA use, Number of Stents, Post Stent Angioplasty, Residual ICA stenosis and Poor TICI recanalization grade included in the multivariate model. Number of stents (p = 0.028) and Poor TICI recanalization grade (p = 0.031) reached significance on multivariate linear regression analysis. Patients with ACSC had significantly greater hospitalization days (7.08 ± 3.73 vs 13.5 ± 6.86; p = 0.002), worse discharge mRS (2.17 ± 2.09 vs 4.5 ± 0.75; p = 0.005), worse discharge NIHSS (4.33 ± 4.53 vs 14.71 ± 4.85; p = 0.001), unfavorable disposition (16.67% vs 62.5%; p = 0.023) and worse 90 days mRS (2.0 ± 2.25 vs 4.67 ± 0.82; p = 0.01). Conclusions: ACSC seen in 25% of AIS with tandem lesions treated with ET. IV tPA use associated with 3 times greater risk of ACSC (37.5% vs 12.5%) presumably due to an inability for antiplatelet loading. Number of stents and poor TICI recanalization grade reached significance on multivariate analysis. ACSC associated with significantly worse outcomes. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings

Despite a decline during the recent decades in stroke-related death, the incidence of stroke has remained unchanged or slightly increased, and extracranial carotid artery stenosis is implicated in 20%–30% of all strokes. Medical therapy and risk factor modification are first-line therapies for all patients with carotid occlusive disease. Evidence for the treatment of patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis greater than 70% with either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is compelling, and several trials have demonstrated a benefit to carotid revascularization in the symptomatic patient population. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is more controversial, with the largest trials only demonstrating a 1% per year risk stroke reduction with CEA. Although there are sufficient data to advocate for aggressive medical therapy as the primary mode of treatment for asymptomatic carotid stenosis, there are also data to suggest that certain patient populations will benefit from a stroke risk reduction with carotid revascularization. In the United States, consensus and practice guidelines dictate that CEA is reasonable in patients with high-grade asymptomatic stenosis, a reasonable life expectancy, and perioperative risk of less than 3%. Regarding CAS versus CEA, the best-available evidence demonstrates no difference between the two procedures in early perioperative stroke, myocardial infarction, or death, and no difference in 4-year ipsilateral stroke risk. However, because of the higher perioperative risks of stroke in patients undergoing CAS, particularly in symptomatic, female, or elderly patients, it is difficult to recommend CAS over CEA except in populations with prohibitive cardiac risk, previous carotid surgery, or prior neck radiation. Current treatment paradigms are based on identifying the magnitude of perioperative risk in patient subsets and on using predictive factors to stratify patients with high-risk asymptomatic stenosis.

Stent fracture has been well documented in the Literature and in the majority of cases arises from the exposition of the stent to unfavourable stresses and biomechanical forces. We report a case of carotid false aneurysm after stent placement for post-surgery restenosis. Stent fracture is a clinical reality that sometimes should be considered prior to stent deployment and may require monitoring or treatment after occurrence.