Radial and ulnar approach for carotid artery stenting with Roadsaver™ double layer micromesh stent: Early and long-term follow-up.

AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of carotid artery stenting (CAS) with a newly designed double-layer micromesh stent using wrist approach in patients with significant carotid disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2021, 105 patients undergoing CAS with Roadsaver™ stent were enrolled in a single center prospective study. Follow-up assessments included neurological exams, duplex ultrasound (DUS), and 12-lead ECG. The primary endpoint was the 30-day composite rate of stroke, death, and myocardial infarction. Secondary endpoints included procedure success, access site complications, device success, target lesion revascularization, and in-stent restenosis evaluated with DUS. Long-term outcomes up to 72 months of follow-up were assessed in all eligible patients. RESULTS: The study population was predominantly male (69.5%) with a median age of 68 ± 8 years. Patients were symptomatic in 80% of the cases, and 35% fulfilled the high-risk criteria for surgical endarterectomy. The right internal carotid artery was the target artery in 56 (53.4%), and the left in 49 (46.6%) of the cases. All procedures were successfully completed from the right wrist, with right radial access in 94 (89.5%) cases and ulnar artery access with previous radial artery occlusion in 11 (10.5%) cases. All patients were treated successfully with the study device. The primary endpoint was met with a 30-day major adverse event rate of 0.9% (1/105). Up to 72 months of follow-up (median 30 ± 20 months) there were no strokes, neurological deaths, or target lesion revascularization of the treated lesion. Doppler ultrasound examination revealed nonsignificant in-stent restenosis in two asymptomatic patients. There was no hand ischemia detected in any patient. CONCLUSION: Results from this study demonstrate the radial and ulnar access for CAS with double layer micromesh Roadsaver™ stent is safe and feasible and associated with favorable early and long-term follow-up.

Critical analysis of the literature and standards of reporting on stroke after carotid revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanisms of procedural stroke after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting are surprisingly underresearched. However, understanding the underlying mechanism could (1) assist in balancing the choice for revascularization vs conservative therapy, (2) assist in choosing either open or endovascular techniques, and (3) assist in taking appropriate periprocedural measures to further decrease procedural stroke rate. The purpose of this study was to overview mechanisms of procedural stroke after carotid revascularization and establish reporting standards to facilitate more granular investigation and individual patient data meta-analysis in the future. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: The limited evidence in the literature was heterogeneous and of low quality. Thus, no formal data meta-analysis could be performed. Procedural stroke was classified as hemorrhagic or ischemic; the latter was subclassified as hemodynamic, embolic (carotid embolic or cardioembolic) or carotid occlusion derived, using a combination of clinical inference and imaging data. Most events occurred in the first 24 hours after the procedure and were related to hypoperfusion (pooled incidence 10.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0-17.5] vs 13.9% [95% CI, 0.0-60.9] after CEA vs carotid artery stenting events, respectively) or atheroembolism (28.9% [95% CI, 10.9-47.0]) vs 34.3 [95% CI, 0.0-91.5]). After the first 24 hours, hemorrhagic stroke (11.6 [95% CI, 5.7-17.4] vs 9.0 [95% CI, 1.3-16.7]) or thrombotic occlusion (18.4 [95% CI, 0.9-35.8] vs 14.8 [95% CI, 0.0-30.5]) became more likely. CONCLUSIONS: Although procedural stroke incidence and etiology may have changed over the last decades owing to technical improvements and improvements in perioperative monitoring and quality control, the lack of literature data limits further statements. To simplify and enhance future reporting, procedural stroke analysis and classification should be documented preemptively in research settings. We propose a standardized form enclosing reporting standards for procedural stroke with a systematic approach to inference of the most likely etiology, for prospective use in registries and randomized controlled trials on carotid revascularization.

Carotid Endarterectomy Using Lone Star Retractor System.

Cervical carotid disease is typical atherosclerosis, which is responsible for ischemic stroke. The effectiveness of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for advanced carotid stenosis has been established in many large studies, and CEA is the gold standard in surgical treatment. On the other hand, endovascular carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become increasingly popular recently. It is very important to avoid any complications to maintain the effectiveness of CEA. The retractor device is important for the exposure of carotid arteries and for the safe surgical manipulation. We have started to use lone star retractor system (LSRS) to deploy the surgical field. LSRS provides the usability to handle and a shallower surgical field without the disturbance of surgical manipulation. And it can facilitate exposure of the distal internal carotid artery because surgeon can retract freely in whole circumference by towing with moderate strength. LSRS may bring the smoother and easier surgical manipulations in CEA.

Anatomic criteria in the selection of treatment modality for atherosclerotic carotid artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Three procedures are currently available to treat atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis: carotid endarterectomy (CEA), transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TF-CAS), and transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR). Although there is considerable debate evaluating each of these in a head-to-head comparison to determine superiority, little has been mentioned concerning the specific anatomic criteria that make one more appropriate. We conducted a study to define anatomic criteria in relation to inclusion and exclusion criteria and relative contraindications. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 448 carotid arteries from 224 consecutive patients who underwent a neck and head computed tomography arteriography (CTA) scan before carotid intervention for significant carotid artery stenosis. Occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) occurred in 15, yielding 433 arteries for analysis. Anatomic data were collected from CTA images and demographic and comorbidities from chart review. Eligibility for CEA, TF-CAS, and TCAR was defined on the basis of anatomy, not by comorbidity. RESULTS: CTA analysis revealed that 92 of 433 arteries (21%) were ineligible for CEA because of carotid lesions extending cephalad to the second cervical vertebra. Overall, 26 arteries (6.0%) were not eligible for any type of carotid artery stent because of small ICA diameter (n = 11), heavy circumferential calcium (n = 14), or combination (n = 1). An additional 126 arteries were ineligible for TF-CAS on the basis of a hostile aortic arch (n = 115) or severe distal ICA tortuosity (n = 11), yielding 281 arteries (64.9%) that were eligible. In addition to the 26 arteries ineligible for any carotid stent, TCAR was contraindicated in 39 because of a clavicle to bifurcation distance <5 cm (n = 17), common carotid artery diameter <6 mm (n = 3), or significant plaque at the TCAR sheath access site (n = 20), yielding 368 arteries (85.0%) that were eligible for TCAR. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of patients who present with carotid artery stenosis have anatomy that makes one or more carotid interventions contraindicated or less desirable. Anatomic factors should play a key role in selecting the most appropriate procedure to treat carotid artery stenosis. Determination of superiority for one procedure over another should be tempered until anatomic criteria have been assessed to select the best procedural options for each patient.

Carotid Endarterectomy Using a Flow-Reversal Technique in the Acute Period: A Novel Approach That May Reduce Intraoperative Cerebral Events.

Lesion manipulation during internal carotid artery (ICA) surgical dissection is the most crucial stage of carotid endarterectomy (CEA); a friable part of the carotid plaque or a thrombus may detach from the arterial wall, leading to cerebral embolism. Proximal protection devices used in carotid artery stenting reverse the blood flow to the brain eliminating, at least after their deployment, the chance of cerebral embolism. Based on the working principle of these devices, we propose a new approach to CEA making use of a flow-reversal technique, and we report its successful application in 2 high-risk patients with a soft and friable type 4 ICA plaque: a 62-year-old male patient presenting with crescendo transient ischemic attacks and a 61-year-old male patient presenting with a major stroke. Both were operated in the acute period. Once the reverse flow has been established, the surgeon can freely manipulate the carotid and perform a fast blunt dissection without the risk that the disturbance of the arterial wall may lead to cerebral embolism. A video recording of the procedure has been made and presented with this article. Despite the various limitations, including increased clamping time, transient intolerance to reverse flow, and increased blood loss, this technique may improve clinical outcomes, especially in symptomatic patients with friable plaque. A clinical trial is warranted to further study the results of the flow-reversal CEA.

Benefit of selective shunt use during carotid endarterectomy under regional anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid cross-clamping during endarterectomy exposes the patient to intraoperative neurological deficits due to embolism or cerebral hypoperfusion. To prevent further cerebrovascular incidents, resorting to shunt is frequently recommended. However, since this method is also considered a stroke risk factor, the use is still controversial. This study aims to shed some light on the best approach regarding the use of shunt in symptomatic cerebral malperfusion after carotid artery cross-clamping. METHODS: From January 2012 to January 2018, 79 patients from a tertiary referral hospital who underwent carotid endarterectomy with regional anesthesia for carotid artery stenosis and manifested post-clamping neurologic deficits were prospectively gathered. Shunt use was left to the decision of the surgeon and performed in 31.6% (25) of the patients. Demographics, comorbidities, imaging tests, and clinical/intraoperative features were evaluated. For data assessment, univariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Regarding 30-day stroke, 30-day postoperative complications (stroke, surgical hematoma, hyperperfusion syndrome), and cranial nerve injury, no significant differences were found (P = 0.301, P = 0.460, and P = 0.301, respectively) between resource to shunt and non-shunt. Clamping and surgery times were significantly higher in the shunt group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Selective-shunting did not demonstrate superiority for patients who developed focal deficits regarding stroke or other postoperative complications. However, due to the limitations of this study, the benefit of shunting cannot be excluded. Further randomized trials are recommended for precise results on this matter with current sparse clinical evidence.

Stent Design, Restenosis and Recurrent Stroke After Carotid Artery Stenting in the International Carotid Stenting Study.

Background and Purpose- Open-cell carotid artery stents are associated with a higher peri-procedural stroke risk than closed-cell stents. However, the effect of stent design on long-term durability of carotid artery stenting (CAS) is unknown. We compared the medium- to long-term risk of restenosis and ipsilateral stroke between patients treated with open-cell stents versus closed-cell stents in the ICSS (International Carotid Stenting Study). Methods- Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis were randomized to CAS or endarterectomy and followed with duplex ultrasound for a median of 4.0 years. We analyzed data from patients with completed CAS procedures, known stent design, and available ultrasound follow-up. The primary outcome, moderate or higher restenosis (≥50%) was defined as a peak systolic velocity of >1.3 m/s on ultrasound or occlusion of the treated internal carotid artery and analyzed with interval-censored models. Results- Eight hundred fifty-five patients were allocated to CAS. Seven hundred fourteen patients with completed CAS and known stent design were included in the current analysis. Of these, 352 were treated with open-cell and 362 with closed-cell stents. Moderate or higher restenosis occurred significantly less frequently in patients treated with open-cell (n=113) than closed-cell stents (n=154; 5-year risks were 35.5% versus 46.0%; unadjusted hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.88). There was no significant difference in the risk of severe restenosis (≥70%) after open-cell stenting (n=27) versus closed-cell stenting (n=43; 5-year risks, 8.6% versus 12.7%; unadjusted hazard ratio, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.37-1.05). The risk of ipsilateral stroke beyond 30 days after treatment was similar with open-cell and closed-cell stents (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.35-1.75). Conclusions- Moderate or higher restenosis after CAS occurred less frequently in patients treated with open-cell stents than closed-cell stents. However, both stent designs were equally effective at preventing recurrent stroke during follow-up. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.isrctn.com/. Unique identifier: ISRCTN25337470.

Last neurologic event is associated with risk of in-hospital stroke or death after carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting: Secondary data analysis of the German statutory quality assurance database.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze the association between last neurologic event and the risk of stroke or death among patients treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) under routine conditions in Germany. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was performed based on the German statutory quality assurance database for carotid procedures. A total of 144,347 patients treated by CEA and 14,794 patients treated by CAS were included in the analysis. Primary outcome was any in-hospital stroke or death. To analyze the association between the last neurologic event and outcome, multilevel multivariable regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: In patients treated by CEA, raw risk for any in-hospital stroke or death was 2.0% (2923/144,347), with a risk of 1.4% in asymptomatic and 3.0% in symptomatic patients. In patients treated by CAS, raw risk for any in-hospital stroke or death was 3.6% (538/14,794), with a risk of 1.7% in asymptomatic and 6.1% in symptomatic patients. Regression analysis revealed that increasing severity of last neurologic event was significantly associated with an increasing risk of any in-hospital stroke or death in patients treated by both CEA and CAS (P < .004). However, the risk of any stroke or death did not significantly differ between asymptomatic patients and patients with amaurosis fugax before CEA or CAS (P = .219 for CEA, P = .124 for CAS). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing severity of last neurologic event is associated with an increasing risk of any in-hospital stroke or death in patients treated by CEA and CAS. The risk of any stroke or death did not differ between asymptomatic patients and patients with amaurosis fugax.

The Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on the Occurrence of Restenosis After Carotid Endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The effect of MetS on clinical outcome in patients with cerebrovascular disease remains largely unknown because conflicting results have been published. This study aimed to determine the influence of MetS on the occurrence of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: All patients who underwent CEA between June 2003 and December 2014 in two tertiary academic referral centres in The Netherlands were included. MetS was defined if three or more of the following criteria were present: hypertension, obesity, high fasting serum blood glucose, high serum triglycerides, or low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of ipsilateral restenosis after index surgery. The secondary outcome measure was (all cause) mortality during follow up. For the primary analysis, missing data were multiply imputed using multivariable imputation by chained equations. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to perform an adjusted analysis on the multiply imputed data sets. RESULTS: A total of 1668 CEA procedures (in 1577 patients) were performed. The presence or absence of MetS could not be determined in 263 patients because of missing data. There was no significant difference in freedom from restenosis in the MetS group vs. the no-MetS group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.23; p = .10) or in all cause mortality (HR 1.20; 95% CI 0.94-1.54; p = .14). CONCLUSION: This study shows that MetS does not predict restenosis after CEA. Also, the presence of MetS did not influence patient survival negatively.

Cost-effectiveness of Carotid Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determinate the cost-effectiveness of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus transfemoral stenting (TFS) and transcervical stenting (TCS) in a short- and long-term basis in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2014, patients from the vascular department, with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis, who were clinically and anatomically suitable for TFS, TCS, or CEA, were included. Prospective cost data for each individual procedure and complication during follow-up were obtained from the diagnosis-related group. The quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated. Analysis of data was by treatment received. All statistical tests were two-sided. The significance level was 5%. RESULTS: A total of 349 patients were enrolled: 61 for CEA (17.5%), 159 for TFS (45.5%), and 129 for TCS (37%). A total of 220 (63%) patients were symptomatic and 129 (37%) were asymptomatic. The median procedural cost and overall cost were lower on CEA (5499€ and 5595€, respectively). However, QALYs, for symptomatic patients, were better on TCS (7.3), whereas for asymptomatic patients, QALYs were better on CEA (9.6). Cost-effectiveness for symptomatic patients was better with TCS (803€/QALY), and for asymptomatic patients, it was with CEA (654€/QALY). CONCLUSIONS: TFS and TCS were associated with clinical outcomes equivalent to CEA on both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Cost-effectiveness ratios for symptomatic patients were better on TCS, whereas the CEA showed the best results in asymptomatic patients.

The Use of the Carotid Sheath as a Rotation Anchor to Detect an Anomalous Ascending Pharyngeal Artery in Carotid Endarterectomy.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) requires complete control of the blood backflow. An anomalous ascending pharyngeal artery (AphA) has been reported to result in incomplete control of the blood flow during CEA. Here, we present a case of symptomatic right internal carotid stenosis for which CEA was performed. An anomalous AphA was confirmed based on its origin from the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) on 3-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA). The anomalous AphA arose near the distal end of the plaque, and the origin of the AphA was located in the dorsal wall of the ICA, hidden from the surgical view. The origin of the AphA was detected with rotation of the ICA within the carotid sheath (CS). Intraoperatively, the blood flow from the AphA was completely controlled with clamping of the origin of the AphA. We emphasize the importance of the 3DRA to detect an anomalous AphA and propose the use of the CS as an anchor to rotate the ICA for optimizing the surgical view behind the ICA. This simple surgical technique facilitates to detect and clamp an anomalous AphA arising from the ICA.

[Remote results of eversion carotid endarterectomy depending on the suture material used]. / Otdalennye rezul'taty éversionnoi karotidnoi éndarteréktomii v zavisimosti ot ispol'zuemogo shovnogo materiala.

BACKGROUND: It is known that namely long-term presence of suture material as the only foreign body in autologous conditions may lead to restenosis in the remote period. Such hypothesis was put forward based on good results of reconstructive cardiovascular operations in case of using absorbable suture material. OBJECTIVE: Our study was aimed at comparative analysis of remote results of using absorbable suture material polydioxanone and non-absorbable suture material polypropylene in eversion carotid endarterectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over the period from 2002 to 2007, at the Department of Vascular Surgery of the Institute of Surgery named after A.V. Vishnevsky performed a total of 408 carotid reconstructions according to the eversion technique. The study was based on comparative analysis of the remote results of this procedure in two groups of patients: the first group consisted of 121 patients in whom replantation of the internal carotid artery into the common carotid artery was performed using absorbable suture material polydioxanone with the metric sizes 5-0 and 6-0 and the second group comprising 135 patients in whom similar manipulations were performed using non-absorbable suture material polypropylene with the metric size 6-0. In the course of the study it turned out that the remote results might also be influenced by the metric size of polydioxanone, therefore the first group was further subdivided into subgroups: polydioxanone 5-0 - 79 patients and polydioxanone 6-0 - 42 patients. RESULTS: At baseline, with statistically significant differences by the gender, incidence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque, diameter of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery ≤4 mm, the groups of patients turned out to be in the remote period statistically significantly comparable by such parameters as frequency of the development of a pseudoaneurysm, restenosis of the internal carotid artery, ipsilateral stroke, restenosis-associated stroke, and by survival. However, when comparing the subgroup of patients wherein polydioxanone 6-0 was used and the second group with the initially statistically significant differences by incidence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque and myocardial infarction, in the remote period there was a statistically significant decrease in the incidence rate of restenosis of the internal carotid artery in the first case. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained findings suggested that the absorbable suture material polydioxanone with the metric size 6-0 might be considered as quite a substantiated alternative to the used in cardiovascular surgery non-absorbable suture material polypropylene. Polydioxanone with the metric size 6-0 made it possible to remove or considerably decrease the incidence rate of the development of restenosis of the internal carotid artery after eversion carotid endarterectomy.

The Influence of Collagen Impregnation of a Knitted Dacron Patch Used in Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: In selected populations, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces long-term stroke risk. Studies have shown increased risk of restenosis with use of a collagen-impregnated Dacron patch compared to a polytetrafluorethylene patch. There is concern that collagen impregnation may initiate thrombosis or promote restenosis due to platelet activation. We performed a retrospective analysis of our CEA experience with routine patching using knitted Dacron patches with (Hemashield) and without (Sauvage) collagen impregnation. METHODS: Our database was queried for all CEAs between January 2006 and December 2010. Seven surgeons performed 655 CEAs. Patients were excluded if no patch was used (n = 1), a primary CEA was performed before study period or by other surgeons (n = 11), or the patch type was indeterminable (n = 38). Demographics, clinical data, and outcomes were compared between the collagen-impregnated (C, Hemashield) group and non-collagen-impregnated (NC, Sauvage) group. RESULTS: A total of 605 CEAs were analyzed (395 C and 210 NC). Demographics were similar except for coronary artery disease (C 54.3% vs. NC 41.6%, P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in 30-day (C 99.7% vs. NC 99.5%, P > 0.99) or 5-year survival (C 80.0% vs. NC 83.7%, P = 0.26) or 30-day stroke rate (C 0.3% vs. NC 1.0%, P = 0.28). No late ipsilateral strokes occurred during 5-year follow-up. The 5-year freedom from restenosis >30% (C 85.3% vs. NC 86.4%, P = 0.33), restenosis >50% (C 94.5% vs. NC 95.5%, P = 0.44), and restenosis >70% (C 98.6% vs. NC 98.9%, P = 0.73) were similar. Two patients underwent carotid stenting for restenosis >70%. Two patients (both in the C group) developed occlusion of the carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: The thrombosis and restenosis rates in the 2 groups were similar. This suggests that collagen-impregnated patches do not initiate thrombosis or increase restenosis rates after CEA.

Duplex-assisted carotid artery stenting without administration of contrast medium for patients with chronic kidney disease or allergic reaction.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of duplex-assisted carotid artery stenting (CAS) without administration of contrast medium for the prevention of adverse reactions. METHODS: Fifteen patients (9 % of all CASs) with severe carotid stenosis (≥70 %) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (stage ≥3) or allergy to contrast medium underwent duplex-assisted CAS without administration of contrast medium over 4 years. The procedural success rate and perioperative complication rates were compared between the duplex-assisted CAS (n = 15) and conventional CAS (n = 153) groups. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100 % in both groups. Combined stroke or death rates during the post-procedural period did not differ significantly between the duplex-assisted CAS group (0/15, 0 %) and conventional CAS group (4/153, 2.6 %). None of the 14 patients with CKD in the duplex-assisted CAS group experienced further deterioration of renal function. The mean surface radiation dose of participants in the duplex-assisted CAS group (n = 13, 312 ± 131 mGy) was significantly lower than that of the conventional CAS group (n = 31, 1036 ± 571 mGy) (p < 0.001). The mean duration of CAS procedure was not significantly different between the duplex-assisted CAS group (156 ± 39.7 min) and the conventional CAS group (156 ± 37.4 min). CONCLUSION: Duplex-assisted CAS without administration of contrast medium could be an alternative option in selected patients deemed to be at high risk for renal failure from nephrotoxic contrast medium or who have an allergy to contrast medium.

Carotid artery stenting: an update.

In patients with carotid disease, the purpose of carotid artery revascularization is stroke prevention. For >50 years, carotid endarterectomy has been considered the standard treatment for severe asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid stenoses. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged in the last 15 years as minimally invasive alternative to surgery. However, the value of the endovascular approach in the management of carotid disease patients remains highly controversial. The aims of this review are to elucidate the current role of CAS, to describe the major technology advancements in the field, and to speculate about the future of this therapy.

Successful management with 2 overlapping bare stents for post-carotid endarterectomy carotid pseudoaneurysm secondary to carotid shunt.

Pseudoaneurysms are a rare complication of carotid endarterectomy. We successfully excluded with 2 overlapping bare stents a distal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm very likely induced by a Pruitt-Inahara shunt 2 months after carotid endarterectomy.

Carotid endarterectomy using a "home-constructed" shunt for patients intolerant to cross-clamping.

PURPOSES: There is a small minority of patients with occlusive carotid artery disease, who are at high-risk for general anesthesia because of their intolerance to carotid flow blockage, even if only for seconds, without neurologic deficit. Even <30 s of temporary clamping of the carotid arteries to deploy a shunt may prove eventful in this patient group. We define safe carotid endarterectomy after the insertion of a novel shunt that we made from simple medical equipment in this patient population. METHODS: Among 65 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy between March 2010 and December 2012, 5 (7.7 %; 3 men and 2 women; age range 56-77 years) could not tolerate carotid clamping. We used an alternative carotid shunt, made by us from simple equipment in our clinic, during surgery for these patients. RESULTS: Two patients had bilateral lesions and the remainder had unilateral disease. The degree of stenosis ranged from 70 to 95 %. Temporary carotid clamping resulted in neurologic events, such as loss of consciousness in all and tremor in one, in <10 s (range, from immediately to 8 s after clamping). Full neurologic function was regained 15-30 s after releasing the clamps. All of the patients tolerated the procedures well with the support of our novel shunt. Shunt flow was adequate in all patients and no neurologic deterioration occurred after carotid clamping. The mean carotid clamp time was 28.11 ± 14.19 min. There was no mortality and all patients were followed up for a mean period of 9.3 ± 3.6 months, uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: An alternative, simple shunt, which is easily constructed in the operating room or clinic, using an angiocatheter, a three-way stopcock, and a serum line can provide adequate cerebral flow and permit safe carotid endarterectomy for those rare patients with carotid artery stenosis, who cannot tolerate even seconds of carotid occlusion.

Is it necessary to use an intraluminal shunt in symptomatic patients with contralateral carotid artery stenosis?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate our results of carotid endarterectomy operations in symptomatic patients operated by using an intraluminal shunt and without use of an intraluminal shunt in patients with contralateral carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: We reviewed the results of 144 carotid endarterectomy operations in patients with contralateral carotid artery stenosis from January 2007 to December 2012. These patients were allocated in 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 70) consisted of the patients operated by using an intraluminal shunt and Group 2 (n = 74) consisted of the patients operated without use of an intraluminal shunt. Postoperative neurologic complications were recorded. RESULTS: Temporary neurologic impairment developed in 3 (4.3%) patients postoperatively in group 1 and in 2 (2.7%) patients postoperatively in group 2. This difference was not statistically significant between groups (p = 0.675). None of the patients returned to operation theatre due to excessive bleeding postoperatively. The stroke/death rate was 0.7% in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic patients with contralateral occlusion can be performed safely without the systematic use of a shunt. However, it is not possible to define exact indications for use of a shunt as we have no information on the reason why some surgeons used a shunt.