Comparison of dual protection and distal filter protection as a distal embolic protection method during carotid artery stenting: a single-center carotid artery stenting experience.

There are several protection methods used to prevent distal embolism during carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to compare the dual protection method (proximal balloon and distal filter protection) with the distal filter protection during CAS performed at a single center. Between April 2008 and November 2013, 78 consecutive patients with internal carotid artery stenosis were treated with CAS at Istukaichi Memorial Hospital. Twenty-four consecutive patients were treated with CAS using distal filter protection (distal filter protection group), and 54 consecutive patients were treated with CAS using dual protection with a proximal balloon and distal filter protection (dual protection group). We examined the hyperintensity lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perioperative complications after CAS. All stenotic lesions were successfully dilated. DWI showed hyperintensity lesions among 54.2 % (13/24 patients) in the distal filter protection group and in 27.8 % (15/54 patients) in the dual protection group (p = 0.024). The average number of hyperintensity lesions on DWI was 1.75 (range, 0 to 6) in the distal filter protection group and 0.59 (range, 0 to 5) in the dual protection group (p = 0.0087). Postprocedural persistent ischemic complications occurred in 4.2 % (1/24 patients) in the distal filter protection group and 3.7 % (2/54 patients) in the dual protection group (p = 0.67). In this study, the dual protection method reduced the number of hyperintensity lesions seen on DWI when compared with the distal filter protection method when used for distal embolic protection during CAS.

Application of 4D-CTA using 320-row area detector computed tomography on spinal arteriovenous fistulae: initial experience.

Time-resolved computed tomography angiography (4D-CTA) using a 320-row area detector CT scanner has recently been applied in the evaluation of cranial vascular disorders. However, application of 4D-CTA to spinal vascular disorder evaluation has never before been described. The authors herein report their initial experience of 4D-CTA in the evaluation of spinal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and compare this novel modality with other imaging modalities. Four consecutive patients with spinal AVF underwent time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (trMRA), 4D-CTA, and selective catheter angiography (CA). In 4D-CTA, volume data was transformed into 3D volume-rendered images and maximum intensity projection. These images were also evaluated by time-resolved serial phases. Then, images of each modality were compared, focusing on the detection of perimedullary draining veins and the prediction of AVF location and drainage flow direction. All modalities successfully detected perimedullary draining veins in all cases. Location of the AVF was detected in all cases by CA. trMRA and 4D-CTA detected the AVF in three out of the four cases. With regard to flow direction, while 4D-CTA successfully depicted ascending or descending drainage flow in the spinal canal, CA failed to detect the flow direction in one case while trMRA failed in two cases. In the case with epidural AVF, 4D-CTA was the only technique to detect the flow direction of perimedullary drainage. Although this is only an initial experience of the application of 4D-CTA to spinal vascular diseases, 4D-CTA was capable of detecting the dynamic vascular flow of spinal AVFs. The authors believe that 4D-CTA can be a useful option in the evaluation of spinal AVFs.