Transumbilical arterial embolization of a large dural arteriovenous fistula in a low-birth-weight neonate with congestive heart failure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report transumbilical arterial embolization of a large dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in a low-birth-weight neonate with congestive heart failure (CHF). CASE PRESENTATION: A female neonate was delivered by cesarean section at 31 weeks of gestation. Her birth weight was 1538 g and Apgar scores were 6 at both 1 and 5 min. Because of dyspnea and retracted respiration immediately after birth, she required mechanical ventilation. Ultrasound revealed right cardiac overload and a large cystic mass at the posterior brain. Magnetic resonance imaging on day 1 showed a large dural AVF (dural sinus malformation with arteriovenous (AV) shunts) at the torcular herophili. Umbilical artery and vein catheterization were performed on the same day for neurointervention. CHF prompted emergency embolization on day 8. The transfemoral arterial route could not be used because of its small size and compromised femoral artery blood flow. Transumbilical arterial embolization shrank the AV shunts markedly, resulting in clinical improvement, thus requiring no further intervention. Follow-up angiography at 4 months confirmed no residual AVF. Her growth and development were normal at the last follow-up at age 4 years. CONCLUSION: This patient apparently was the lowest birth weight neonate with a large AVF successfully treated by embolization, which is usually performed through the transfemoral arterial route. The transumbilical arterial route is an alternative for neonates with birth weight <2000 g and very small femoral arteries.

[Preoperative analysis of platelet aggregability in carotid surgery].

To evaluate the relationship between preoperative analysis of platelet aggregability and perioperative complications, we analyzed 42 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. The effect of antiplatelet drugs was tested by whole blood aggregometry. ADP (adenosine-diphosphoric acid) and collagen were used as agonists. According to platelet aggregability, patients were classified into 4 groups (class A: highly inhibited, class B: moderately inhibited, class C: normally inhibited, class D: non-inhibited). Seven (32%) of 22 patients were stratified as clopidogrel nonresponders, whereas four (10%) of 40 patients were aspirin nonresponders. Hemorrhagic complications were registered in four patients. All of them were classified as class A. Ischemic complications occurred in two patients, one was classified as class C, the other was class D. Preoperative analysis of platelet aggregability could be useful to reduce the risk of perioperative complications after carotid surgery.

Long-term follow-up of endovascular coil embolization for cerebral aneurysms using three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography.

OBJECTIVES: As endovascular treatment becomes more prevalent, aneurysm recurrence from neck remnants, recanalization, incomplete obliteration and bleeding remain major concerns. In the current analysis, we attempted to identify factors related to disease progression and clinical outcome in patients treated with coil embolization. METHODS: This study included 58 patients who underwent endovascular coil embolization for treatment of intracranial aneurysm. The result of embolization was evaluated with three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) and classified as a complete occlusion, a residual neck (minor, central and marginal types), a residual dome (central and marginal types). Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically. Statistical analyses were performed to establish factors that influenced the occurrence of adverse events such as recurrence of aneurysm. RESULTS: Overall, the complete occlusion rate was 18.8%, the occurrence of a residual neck was 67.2%, and the residual dome rate was 14.1%. The mean clinical follow-up was 31.2 months. Recurrences were found in 18 aneurysms, and major recurrences were retreated with coiling or surgery. The post-treatment study revealed that the marginal-type aneurysm filling has a significant impact on outcome. Thus, perianeurysmal edema was correlated with recurrence of the aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional TOF MRA was a sensitive tool for visualizing residual filling of embolized aneurysm and is useful for long-term follow-up of patients.

Recurrence of the cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula at adjacent sinuses following repeated transvenous embolizations: case report and literature review.

We present a unique case of a cavernous sinus (CS) dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), which recurred at adjacent sinuses following repeated transvenous embolizations (TVEs). A 68-year-old woman presented with progressive left conjunctival chemosis and diplopia. Cerebral angiography revealed a left CS DAVF, which was completely obliterated by TVE via the left inferior petrosal sinus (IPS). Two years later, the DAVF recurred in the left IPS, and again in the left sigmoid sinus (SS) 3 years after the initial treatment in spite of a second TVE. Moreover, the left SS and the left internal jugular vein, which had been previously stenotic, had been occluded. The third TVE resulted in the complete obliteration of the SS DAVF. CS DAVFs may recur at adjacent sinuses even after complete obliteration by TVE. Careful follow-up is necessary to check for the recurrence of DAVFs, especially in cases with venous flow changes, such as sinus occlusion, following endovascular treatment.

Tissue plasminogen activator enhances the hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced impairment of the blood-brain barrier in a primary culture of rat brain endothelial cells.

Hemorrhagic transformation is a major complication associated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy for ischemic stroke. We studied the effect of tPA on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function with our in vitro monolayer model generated using rat brain microvascular endothelial cells subjected either to normoxia or to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) with or without the administration of tPA. The barrier function was evaluated by the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), the permeability of sodium fluorescein and Evans' blue-albumin (EBA), and the uptake of lucifer yellow (LY). The permeability of sodium fluorescein and EBA was used as an index of paracellular and transcellular transport, respectively. The administration of tPA increased the permeability of EBA and the uptake of LY under normoxia. It enhanced the increase in the permeability of both sodium fluorescein and EBA, the decrease in the TEER, and the disruption in the expression of ZO-1 under H/R conditions. Administration of tPA could cause an increase in the transcellular transport under normoxia, and both the transcellular and paracellular transport of the BBB under H/R conditions in vitro. Even in humans, tPA may lead to an opening of the BBB under non-ischemic conditions and have an additional effect on the ischemia-induced BBB disruption.

[Carotid artery stenting using the transbrachial approach: technical case report].

We described a case of endoluminal stent placement for cervical internal carotid artery stenosis in which access was obtained via the proximal portion of the right radial artery. A 70-year-old man with a history of arteriosclerosis obliterans presented for endoluminal revascularization of a stenosed left internal carotid artery. The transfemoral approach was not possible because of severe atherosclerosis of the bilateral common iliac arteries. An approach was attempted via the right radial artery. After placement of a 6F short sheath in the proximal portion of the right radial artery, the guiding catheter was positioned in the left common carotid artery using the coaxial catheter system. Stenting was successfully performed under distal protection. This novel approach should be considered for endovascular procedures for which access to the carotid artery is limited.

Giant thrombosed fusiform aneurysm at the basilar trunk successfully treated with endovascular coil occlusion following bypass surgery: a case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Giant fusiform aneurysms at the basilar trunk tend to have a poor natural history, and the surgical management for these aneurysms remains controversial. For these aneurysms, basilar trunk occlusion may offer a potentially long-lasting cure. However, the strategy for these aneurysms is difficult when the collateral supply from the carotid circulation is poor. The authors herein present a successful case of a thrombosed giant fusiform aneurysm at the basilar trunk with a poor collateral supply using repeated balloon test occlusion (BTO) and a second bypass surgery. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old female was admitted to our institute because of progressing double vision. A radiologic examination revealed a thrombosed giant fusiform aneurysm at the upper basilar trunk, and the collateral supply from carotid circulation was poor. We attempted to perform a second bypass surgery before the basilar trunk coil occlusion due to intolerance after the repeated BTO. After confirmation of her tolerance against the third BTO, the aneurysm was successfully trapped using the endovascular technique. CONCLUSION: Various kind of bypass surgery should be tried for endovascular trapping of giant fusiform basilar trunk aneurysms, and repeated BTO is necessary to confirm the tolerance after bypass surgery especially for the complex aneurysms without a sufficient collateral supply.

[A case of carotid occlusive disease treated with stenting for recurrence of stenosis: strategy on intolerance to temporary occlusion].

Carotid artery stenting has emerged as an acceptable treatment alternative in patient with occlusive carotid bifurcation disease. High-risk surgical candidates have a lower rate of morbidity after carotid artery stenting with distal embolic protection. Among distal protection devices, a Guardwire balloon occlusion is the most frequently employed in Japan. A 79-year-old male who had severe stenosis at the origin of left carotid artery was treated with stenting under Guardwire balloon protection. He was intolerant to carotid artery occlusion and endovascular procedures were performed under intravenous anesthesia or general anesthesia. In addition, he suffered recurrent stenosis seven months after the first procedure and 16 months after second procedure, and underwent repeated intervention. It was considered that the long tortuous lesion was a cause of the recurrent stenosis.

[A case of a vertebral artery fusiform aneurysm treated with stent assisted coil embolization: technique to prevent coil migration].

Placement of a stent over the aneurysm neck and secondary coil embolization prevents coil migration and allows attenuated packing of the coils. However, during the course of the embolization, coils project over and obscure the parent vessel. Here we report a novel technique for endovascular parent vessel reconstruction with aneurysm embolization. A 73-year-old male had an incidental fusiform aneurysm at the V4 segment of the left vertebral artery. The size of the aneurysm increased from 7 mm to 8 mm in diameter. Since the right vertebral artery was hypoplastic, endovascular parent vessel reconstruction with coil embolization was performed. A flexible balloon-expandable coronary stent was navigated to the lesion and deployed successfully followed by coil embolization using a microcatheter through the stent. The balloon was inflated intermittently during coil insertion avoiding coil migration to inside the stent. Furthermore, the angle of the image intensifier was manipulated to visualize the inside of the stent. Postoperative course was uneventful and follow-up MRI three moths later demonstrated obliteration of the aneurysm and patency of the parent artery. This technique provides a practical treatment strategy for the management of a circumferential aneurysm.

Retrospective analysis of neurological outcome after intra-arterial thrombolysis in basilar artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Basilar artery occlusion usually has a very poor outcome and is associated with a high mortality rate. Local intra-arterial thrombolysis may improve the clinical outcome and reduce mortality in the treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion. We evaluated the possible variables affecting recanalization and clinical outcome in patients with basilar artery occlusions undergoing thrombolytic therapy. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical course and outcome of a series of 26 patients between 1998 and 2001. All patients who were examined within 24 hours after onset of symptoms underwent emergency cerebral angiography and subsequent intra-arterial thrombolysis. Three patients additionally received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of underlying stenosis at the site of thrombosis. RESULTS: Outcome was good in 9 patients (34.6%) and poor in 17 (65.4%). Recanalization could be achieved in 24 patients (92.3%) and was not affected by age, sex, site of occlusion, etiology, thrombolytic drugs, or time interval. Good outcome was associated with younger age, good initial clinical condition, and no evidence of brain stem infarction. There was no association between the interval (greater or less than 6 hours) from the onset of symptoms until the end of thrombolysis and survival. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that intra-arterial thrombolysis reduces mortality in basilar artery occlusion. Young patients (<75 years) without any infarct in brain stem before the start of treatment seem to be the ideal candidates for thrombolysis. Basilar artery thrombosis could and should be reopened, even late (after 6 hours) after symptom onset.