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Journal of Vascular Surgery May 2021The current recommendations are to perform carotid endarterectomy within 2 weeks of symptoms for maximum long-term stroke prevention, although urgent carotid... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
The current recommendations are to perform carotid endarterectomy within 2 weeks of symptoms for maximum long-term stroke prevention, although urgent carotid endarterectomy within 48 hours has been associated with increased perioperative stroke. With the development and rapid adoption of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), we decided to study the effect of timing on the outcomes after TCAR.
METHODS
The Vascular Quality Initiative database was searched for symptomatic patients who had undergone TCAR from September 2016 to November 2019. These patients were stratified by the interval to TCAR after symptom onset: urgent, within 48 hours; early, 3 to 14 days; and late, >14 days. The primary outcome was the in-hospital rate of combined stroke and death (stroke/death), evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The secondary outcome was the 1-year rate of recurrent ipsilateral stroke and mortality, evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 2608 symptomatic patients who had undergone TCAR were included. The timing was urgent for 144 patients (5.52%), early for 928 patients (35.58%), and late for 1536 patients (58.90%). Patients undergoing urgent intervention had an increased risk of in-hospital stroke/death, which was driven primarily by an increased risk of stroke. No differences were seen for in-hospital death. On adjusted analysis, urgent intervention resulted in a threefold increased risk of stroke (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-6.2; P = .01) and a threefold increased risk of stroke/death (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4; P = .01) compared with late intervention. Patients undergoing early intervention had comparable risks of stroke (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.7-2.3; P = .40) and stroke/death (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.7-2.1; P = .48) compared with late intervention. On subset analysis, the type of presenting symptoms was an effect modifier. Patients presenting with stroke and those presenting with transient ischemic attack or amaurosis fugax both had an increased risk of stroke/death when undergoing urgent compared with late TCAR (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.6; P = .04; and OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.1-15.0; P = .03, respectively). However only patients presenting with transient ischemic attack or amaurosis fugax had experienced an increased risk of stroke with urgent compared with late TCAR (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.4-17.5; P < .01). At 1 year of follow-up, no differences were seen in the incidence of recurrent ipsilateral stroke (urgent, 0.7%; early, 0.2%; late, 0.1%; P = .13) or postdischarge mortality (urgent, 0.7%; early, 1.6%; late, 1.8%; P = .71).
CONCLUSIONS
We found that TCAR had a reduced incidence of stroke when performed 48 hours after symptom onset. Urgent TCAR within 48 hours of the onset of stroke was associated with a threefold increased risk of in-hospital stroke/death, with no added benefit for ≤1 year after intervention. Further studies are needed on long-term outcomes of TCAR stratified by the timing of the procedure.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Artery Diseases; Databases, Factual; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Stents; Stroke; Time Factors; Time-to-Treatment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33038481
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.08.148 -
Radiology Oct 2022Background MRI and fluorine 18-labeled sodium fluoride (F-NaF) PET can be used to identify features of plaque instability, rupture, and disease activity, but large... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Background MRI and fluorine 18-labeled sodium fluoride (F-NaF) PET can be used to identify features of plaque instability, rupture, and disease activity, but large studies have not been performed. Purpose To evaluate the association between F-NaF activity and culprit carotid plaque in acute neurovascular syndrome. Materials and Methods In this prospective observational cohort study (October 2017 to January 2020), participants underwent F-NaF PET/MRI. An experienced clinician determined the culprit carotid artery based on symptoms and record review. F-NaF uptake was quantified using standardized uptake values and tissue-to-background ratios. Statistical significance was assessed with the Welch, χ, Wilcoxon, or Fisher test. Multivariable models were used to evaluate the relationship between the imaging markers and the culprit versus nonculprit vessel. Results A total of 110 participants were evaluated (mean age, 68 years ± 10 [SD]; 70 men and 40 women). Of the 110, 34 (32%) had prior cerebrovascular disease, and 26 (24%) presented with amaurosis fugax, 54 (49%) with transient ischemic attack, and 30 (27%) with stroke. Compared with nonculprit carotids, culprit carotids had greater stenoses (≥50% stenosis: 30% vs 15% [ = .02]; ≥70% stenosis: 25% vs 4.5% [ < .001]) and had increased prevalence of MRI-derived adverse plaque features, including intraplaque hemorrhage (42% vs 23%; = .004), necrotic core (36% vs 18%; = .004), thrombus (7.3% vs 0%; = .01), ulceration (18% vs 3.6%; = .001), and higher F-NaF uptake (maximum tissue-to-background ratio, 1.38 [IQR, 1.12-1.82] vs 1.26 [IQR, 0.99-1.66], respectively; = .04). Higher F-NaF uptake was positively associated with necrosis, intraplaque hemorrhage, ulceration, and calcification and inversely associated with fibrosis ( = .04 to < .001). In multivariable analysis, carotid stenosis at or over 70% (odds ratio, 5.72 [95% CI: 2.2, 18]) and MRI-derived adverse plaque characteristics (odds ratio, 2.16 [95% CI: 1.2, 3.9]) were both associated with the culprit versus nonculprit carotid vessel. Conclusion Fluorine 18-labeled sodium fluoride PET/MRI characteristics were associated with the culprit carotid vessel in study participants with acute neurovascular syndrome. Clinical trial registration no. NCT03215550 and NCT03215563 © RSNA, 2022
Topics: Aged; Carotid Arteries; Constriction, Pathologic; Female; Fluorine; Fluorine Radioisotopes; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prospective Studies; Sodium Fluoride
PubMed: 35670715
DOI: 10.1148/radiol.212283 -
Cureus Mar 2022Carotid stump syndrome (CSS) is a rare cause of recurrent ipsilateral cerebrovascular events that typically manifests as transient ischemic attacks or amaurosis fugax....
Carotid stump syndrome (CSS) is a rare cause of recurrent ipsilateral cerebrovascular events that typically manifests as transient ischemic attacks or amaurosis fugax. The cause of these recurrent symptoms is thought to be microembolization from an occluded internal carotid artery that reaches intracranial circulation through anastomoses. We undertook a systematic literature review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases of the endovascular treatment options for CSS. Nine papers met the inclusion criteria and provided patient data on 12 patients, and one case illustration is presented. Treatment was with common carotid artery-external carotid artery stent graft without concomitant coil embolization in nine patients and with coil embolization without stenting, the breakthrough of the stump with a wire and subsequent internal carotid artery stent placement, and stent-assisted coil embolization in one patient each. During a median follow-up of six months, all patients were on dual antiplatelet therapy except one on undefined "systemic anticoagulation." Twelve patients had no symptoms after treatment, one had transient expressive aphasia but no further symptoms after being placed on anticoagulation, and none had intraprocedural complications or had to undergo retreatment. Our review indicates that endovascular treatment of CSS is associated with low intraprocedural risk and is effective at treating recurrent symptoms.
PubMed: 35371850
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22746 -
Journal of the Neurological Sciences May 2022Diagnosing giant cell arteritis (GCA) can be challenging due to the variable clinical presentation and lack of systemic symptoms in approximately 20% of cases, which are...
BACKGROUND
Diagnosing giant cell arteritis (GCA) can be challenging due to the variable clinical presentation and lack of systemic symptoms in approximately 20% of cases, which are termed occult GCA. GCA affects the ocular circulation in more than half of cases and can cause irreversible bilateral blindness if not rapidly recognized and treated. We compared clinical and laboratory findings of patients with occult and systemic temporal artery biopsy (TAB)-positive GCA with ocular manifestations.
METHODS
Retrospective chart review of patients with TAB-positive GCA with ocular manifestations seen at a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology practice between 2015 and 2020.
RESULTS
GCA was occult in 14.3% (6/42) and systemic in 85.7% (36/42) of patients. Occult GCA affected older patients (average age 84.6 ± 5.3 vs 75.9 ± 8.2). There was no significant difference in ESR or CRP levels between two cohorts. In patients with occult GCA, 83.3% (5/6) presented with AION, and 16.7% (1/6) with isolated cranial nerve six palsy (CN6P). In the systemic GCA cohort, 47.2% (17) presented with AION, 5.6% (2) with CRAO, 2.8% (1) with PION, 2.8% (1) with isolated CWS, 2.8% (1) had both CRAO and AION, 2.8% (1) isolated cranial nerve 4 palsy (CN4P), 2.8% (1) isolated CN6P, 22.2% (8) had history of amaurosis fugax but normal examination, and 11.1% (4) had visual symptoms but a normal exam. Three of the above patients with AION also had CN4P. Of patients diagnosed with AION, presenting visual acuity in the affected eye(s) was significantly worse in patients with occult GCA. Involvement of multiple ocular circulations was seen in six patients in the systemic group but none in the occult group.
CONCLUSION
Occult GCA occurs more commonly in older patients who most of the time present with AION. Levels of inflammatory markers were similar in the occult and systemic groups. Though ocular ischemic manifestations were similar in both cohorts, in systemic GCA involvement of multiple ocular circulations is likely more common GCA should always be considered in older patients who present with signs of retinal and/or optic nerve head ischemia (AION and/or CWS) and new onset of CNPs, especially in patients where more than one ocular arterial circulation is involved.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Canada; Giant Cell Arteritis; Humans; Ischemia; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic; Paralysis; Retrospective Studies; Temporal Arteries
PubMed: 35276478
DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120222 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Apr 2021Neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders typically present with symptoms of visual loss, diplopia, ocular motility impairment or anisocoria. The ocular manifestations... (Review)
Review
Neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders typically present with symptoms of visual loss, diplopia, ocular motility impairment or anisocoria. The ocular manifestations of these disorders are sometimes indicative of a more serious global neurology disease rather than an isolated ocular disease. The aim of this review is to highlight four important neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders that must not be missed by an ophthalmologist. These include acute painful Horner's syndrome, painful cranial nerve III palsy, giant cell arteritis and transient ischaemic attack with amaurosis fugax. The delayed diagnosis of these clinical entities puts the patient at risk of blindness or death. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of these conditions are essential. This can be acquired from understanding the main signs and symptoms of the disease presentation together with a high index of suspicion while working at a busy eye emergency department.
Topics: Blindness; Emergency Service, Hospital; Giant Cell Arteritis; Horner Syndrome; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases
PubMed: 32788313
DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138163 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Nov 2022Shunt placement during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has often been advocated to protect the ischemic penumbra in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. In the...
OBJECTIVE
Shunt placement during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has often been advocated to protect the ischemic penumbra in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. In the present study, we assessed the effect of shunt placement during CEA on postoperative stroke risk in symptomatic patients.
METHODS
We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2016-2019) for CEA cases with complete CEA procedure-targeted data available. Symptomatic patients were identified as those with a preoperative diagnosis of stroke on presentation (DS), transient ischemic attack, amaurosis fugax, or temporary monocular blindness. The DS patients were further analyzed according to the severity of their stroke using the modified Rankin scale scores. To better assess the effect of shunt placement on the stroke rate, we compared cases of CEA with the patch angioplasty technique stratified by the use of an intraoperative shunt. Patients who had undergone carotid eversion or primary closure were excluded. The baseline demographics and perioperative outcomes were compared using the χ and Mann-Whitney U tests. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for postoperative stroke and cranial nerve injury.
RESULTS
We identified 4652 cases of CEA with patch angioplasty in symptomatic patients, including 1889 with (40.6%) and 2763 without (59.4%) shunt placement. The distribution of age, race, and sex was similar for both procedures. Compared with patients without a shunt, those with a shunt had significantly higher rates of emergency surgery (9.1% vs 7.0%; P = .010), nonelective surgery (40.3% vs 37.2%; P = .035), general anesthesia (97.0% vs 86.3%; P < .001), and bleeding disorders (27.2% vs 22.7%; P < .001). The 30-day incidence of postoperative stroke was similar between the patients with (3.2%) and without (2.6%) shunt placement (P = .219). Additionally, a subgroup analysis failed to show any benefit from shunt placement on the incidence of postoperative stroke, regardless of the preoperative symptoms or neurologic disability. In contrast, shunt placement was associated with an increased rate of cranial nerve injury (4.1% vs 2.4%; P = .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that nonelective surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-2.91; P < .001) and DS (vs transient ischemic attack, amaurosis fugax, or temporary monocular blindness; OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.12-2.41; P = .012) were predictive of 30-day postoperative stroke. After adjusting for confounders, shunt placement had no effect on stroke risk at 30 days but remained an independent risk factor for cranial nerve injury (adjusted OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.32-2.64; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
For symptomatic patients undergoing CEA with patch angioplasty, shunt placement was associated with an increased risk of cranial nerve injury without a reduction in postoperative stroke risk.
Topics: Humans; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Amaurosis Fugax; Treatment Outcome; Time Factors; Carotid Stenosis; Stroke; Risk Factors; Cranial Nerve Injuries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 35810956
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2022.06.096 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Apr 2022The current risk assessment for patients with carotid atherosclerosis relies primarily on measuring the degree of stenosis. More reliable risk stratification could...
OBJECTIVE
The current risk assessment for patients with carotid atherosclerosis relies primarily on measuring the degree of stenosis. More reliable risk stratification could improve patient selection for targeted treatment. We have developed and validated a model to predict for major adverse neurologic events (MANE; stroke, transient ischemic attack, amaurosis fugax) that incorporates a combination of plaque morphology, patient demographics, and patient clinical information.
METHODS
We enrolled 221 patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis of any severity who had undergone computed tomography angiography at baseline and ≥6 months later. The images were analyzed for carotid plaque morphology (plaque geometry and tissue composition). The data were partitioned into training and validation cohorts. Of the 221 patients, 190 had complete records available and were included in the present analysis. The training cohort was used to develop the best model for predicting MANE, incorporating the patient and plaque features. First, single-variable correlation and unsupervised clustering were performed. Next, several multivariable models were implemented for the response variable of MANE. The best model was selected by optimizing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Cohen's kappa statistic. The model was validated using the sequestered data to demonstrate generalizability.
RESULTS
A total of 62 patients had experienced a MANE during follow-up. Unsupervised clustering of the patient and plaque features identified single-variable predictors of MANE. Multivariable predictive modeling showed that a combination of the plaque features at baseline (matrix, intraplaque hemorrhage [IPH], wall thickness, plaque burden) with the clinical features (age, body mass index, lipid levels) best predicted for MANE (AUC, 0.79), In contrast, the percent diameter stenosis performed the worst (AUC, 0.55). The strongest single variable for discriminating between patients with and without MANE was IPH, and the most predictive model was produced when IPH was considered with wall remodeling. The selected model also performed well for the validation dataset (AUC, 0.64) and maintained superiority compared with percent diameter stenosis (AUC, 0.49).
CONCLUSIONS
A composite of plaque geometry, plaque tissue composition, patient demographics, and clinical information predicted for MANE better than did the traditionally used degree of stenosis alone for those with carotid atherosclerosis. Implementing this predictive model in the clinical setting could help identify patients at high risk of MANE.
Topics: Biomarkers; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Diseases; Carotid Stenosis; Computed Tomography Angiography; Constriction, Pathologic; Hemorrhage; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Plaque, Atherosclerotic
PubMed: 34793923
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.10.056 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Dec 2020A 57-year-old female presented with headache, miosis, and ptosis diagnosed as Horner syndrome (HS). After delaying the recommended diagnostic imaging, she experienced...
A 57-year-old female presented with headache, miosis, and ptosis diagnosed as Horner syndrome (HS). After delaying the recommended diagnostic imaging, she experienced transient, unilateral visual impairment in bright light. The patient was subsequently determined to have a spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) and secondary retinal ischemia with minimal cardiovascular risk factors and no history of preceding trauma. She wore dark glasses, received gabapentin for pain control, and was anticoagulated for a total of 4 months at which time the ICAD resolved despite a residual blepharoptosis and anisocoria.
PubMed: 33681076
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1444_20 -
Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular... Oct 2022There is no complete consensus on the three surgical methods and long-term consequences for coexisting coronary and carotid artery disease. We retrospectively evaluated...
INTRODUCTION
There is no complete consensus on the three surgical methods and long-term consequences for coexisting coronary and carotid artery disease. We retrospectively evaluated the surgical results in this high-risk group in our clinic for a decade.
METHODS
Between 2005 and 2015, 196 patients were treated for combined carotid and coronary artery disease. A total of 50 patients were operated on with the staged method, 40 of which had carotid endarterectomy (CEA) priority, and 10 had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) priority. CABG and CEA were simultaneously performed in 82 patients; and in 64 asymptomatic patients with unilateral carotid artery lesions and stenosis over 70%, only CABG was done (64 patients). Results were evaluated by uni-/multivariate analyses for perioperative, early, and late postoperative data.
RESULTS
In the staged group, interval between the operations was 2.82±0.74 months. Perioperative and early postoperative (30 days) parameters did not differ between groups (P-value < 0.05). Postoperative follow-up time was averaged 94.9±38.3 months. Postoperative events were examined in three groups as (A) deaths (all cause), (B) cardiovascular events (non-fatal myocardial infarction, recurrent angina, congestive heart failure, palpitation), and (C) fatal neurological events (amaurosis fugax, transient ischemic attack, and stroke). When group C events were excluded, event-free actuarial survival rates were similar in all three methods (P=0.740). Actuarial survival rate was significantly different when all events were included (P=0.027). Neurological events increased markedly between months 34 and 66 (P=0.004).
CONCLUSION
Perioperative and early postoperative event-free survival rates were similar in all three methods. By the beginning of the 34th month, the only CABG group has been negatively separated due to neurological events. In the choice of methodology, "most threatened organ priority'' was considered as clinical parameter.
Topics: Humans; Carotid Stenosis; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Postoperative Complications; Coronary Artery Disease; Stroke; Carotid Artery Diseases
PubMed: 35244376
DOI: 10.21470/1678-9741-2021-0127 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Jul 2020Light-induced amaurosis is a rare manifestation of symptomatic carotid artery disease. Unlike amaurosis fugax, which is often attributed to embolic phenomenon associated... (Review)
Review
Light-induced amaurosis is a rare manifestation of symptomatic carotid artery disease. Unlike amaurosis fugax, which is often attributed to embolic phenomenon associated with carotid artery disease, light-induced amaurosis has been associated with reduced perfusion to the eye, secondary to carotid artery disease, leading to retinal ischemia. The case described here is that of a 67-year-old male with bilateral vision loss in response to bright light. Imaging revealed severe internal carotid stenosis on the right and occlusion of the internal carotid artery on the left. Similar to previous cases reported in the literature, the symptoms resolved after carotid endarterectomy.
Topics: Aged; Blindness; Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Humans; Light; Male; Recovery of Function; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Vision, Ocular; Visual Perception
PubMed: 32027984
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2020.01.096