Factors Affecting the Outcome of Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis Surgical Treatment in a Single Center Series.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of preoperative ischemic brain lesion (IBL) volume, assessed by Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance brain imaging (DW-MRI) with RAPID® processing, and surgery timing in predicting post-operative neurological outcomes in symptomatic carotid stenosis (SCS) patients treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with SCS who underwent CEA between January 2010 and June 2020 were considered. IBLs ipsilateral to the stenosis were identified in the preoperative magnetic resonance brain (MRI). The volume was quantified in mL and correlated with 30-day rates of stroke and stroke/death by χ2 and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients were surgically treated for SCS during the entire study period. CEA procedures were defined as emergent, urgent, or elective if performed within 48 hr, between 48 hr and 14 days, or after 14 days from symptoms onset, respectively. Cumulative new ipsilateral stroke rate was 4,5%, with a statistically higher neurological complications in emergent patients compared to urgent and elective patients (10,6%, 1,47% and 0% respectively, P 0,039). ROC curve analysis showed a volume of 10 mL was predictive of postoperative stroke with 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity. An IBL volume >10 mL was an independent risk factor for postoperative stroke. In fact, the perioperative neurological complication rate was significantly different in high-IBL volume patients (>10 mL) compared with low-IBL volume patients (<10 mL) (P 0,003) CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that the optimal timing for CEA is between 48 hr and 14 days. Furthermore, the present study suggests that the presence of the IBL, by itself, is not definitively related with an unsatisfactory neurological outcome. However, an IBL higher than 10 mL should be as a reliable threshold value adverse neurological result in SCS patients.

Carotid Endarterectomy or Stenting in Octogenarians in a Monocentric Experience.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients at high risk for complications from surgery. The very elderly (≥80-year-old) are 1 subgroup of patients identified as being at increased risk for carotid surgery. However, there is concern that the very elderly are also at increased risk for complications of CAS. A stroke and death rate of 12% were reported in very elderly patients during the roll-in phase of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial. We are reporting on a clinical series of CAS and CEA with independent neurologic assessment in the very elderly. The aim of this article is to evaluate early and mild-term results obtained in the treatment of the carotid artery stenosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic octogenarians, comparing the data of CEA and CAS in academic hospital. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2013, a consecutive series of 129 CAS and 45 CEA patients (≥80-year-old) were treated in our academic hospital, a center with extensive carotid revascularization experience. Independent neurologic assessment was performed before and after procedures. Exclusion criteria were cerebral hemorrhage diagnosed within 6 months, cerebral tumors and dementia. Hostile aortic arches were nevertheless treated with alternative approaches like cervical or radial access. All the procedures have been performed by the senior authors. RESULTS: The average age was 86.9 years. Most patients were male (56%), and the target lesion carotid stenosis was asymptomatic in 80% of patients. No significant differences were obtained regarding gender, symptoms, risk factors or comorbidities, and evident CT lesions among the 2 groups of different treatments. Embolic protection devices were used in all cases with the CAS procedure. The overall 30-day incidence of stroke and death was 2.3% (3 of 129) in CAS group and 4.4% (2 of 45) in CEA group. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusion of high-risk patients from CAS, based on age alone, seems to be unjustified. Octogenarians are not at increased risk of periprocedural adverse events after CAS compared with younger patients. The key to obtain satisfactory results is CAS to be performed by an experienced team able to use not only standard filter protected CAS but also familiar with all the other types of access and protection techniques.

Emergent fully endovascular treatment of a free ruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysm.

To present a case of successful emergency complete endovascular repair of a ruptured type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) through chimney technique with off-the-shelf devices. A 64-year-old man with a free ruptured type IV TAAA. Open access was obtained at both common femoral arteries, both axillary arteries, and left common carotid artery. Covered stent grafts were located undeployed into the target arteries. An endoprosthesis was released in the suprarenal aorta, and soon after, covered stents were deployed in renal arteries and superior mesenteric artery. Type Ib and II endoleaks required an adjunctive endovascular treatment. Total endovascular repair with chimney technique may be the only life-saving option in patients unfit for open surgery and is effective in sealing the aneurysm and maintaining blood flow to the aortic branches.

Hybrid treatment for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Marfan syndrome is a heritable disorder of connective tissue leading to aortic aneurysms and other cardiovascular complications associated with reduced life expectancy. Although contemporary management of ascending aortic disease requires open surgical reconstruction, the combined retrograde visceral revascularization and endovascular exclusion (hybrid procedure) of entire thoracoabdominal aorta has been introduced for the management of descending thoracic and abdominal aortic pathology. The present experience reports 2 cases of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, in Marfan patients, previously submitted to major cardiovascular surgical procedures, through a hybrid approach.

Endograft Collapse after Standard Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Implantation: A Report of Two Cases.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has emerged as the preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), offering advantages such as reduced mortality, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared to open repair (OR). However, concerns persist regarding long-term durability, and the need for reinterventions. Among all reported EVAR complications, endograft collapse poses a significant challenge, particularly when presenting with acute lower limb ischemia (ALI). The aim of this report is to describe two cases of non-dissection-related abdominal endograft collapse manifesting as ALI, requiring urgent intervention, emergent conversion to OR and complete endograft removal.

Stent-assisted coil embolization of a complex wide-neck splenic artery aneurysm.

We describe the endovascular treatment of a wide-neck splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) using a stent-assisted coil embolization technique. A 55-year-old woman who was admitted for intermittent epigastric pain was diagnosed with a wide-neck aneurysm of the intermediate splenic artery. The SAA had a maximum diameter of 2.2 cm and originated from a tortuous vessel. After percutaneous access through the left brachial artery, a self-expandable stent was initially deployed across the origin of the aneurysm using a 4-French platform. The aneurysm sac was subsequently filled with coils through a microcatheter. The procedure was successful with no postoperative clinical complications. Patency of splenic artery and complete exclusion of the aneurysm were confirmed by follow-up computed tomographic angiography 1 year after treatment. In challenging anatomic situations, stent-assisted coil embolization may represent a first-choice endovascular treatment option for the exclusion of SAAs.

Rupture of Splenic Artery Aneurysm in Patient with ACTN2 Mutation.

Here, we report a case of splenic artery aneurysm rupture in a patient with known heterozygosity mutation of the ACTN2 gene (variant c.971G > A p.Arg324Gln). The patient came to our emergency department with epigastric pain radiating to the lumbar area, with an absence of peritonism signs. An abdominal computed tomography angiography showed a ruptured huge (5 cm) splenic artery aneurysm. Therefore, the patient underwent emergency endovascular coil embolization with complete aneurysm exclusion. The postoperative course was uneventful, until postoperative day five when the patient developed a symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia in the absence of echocardiographic alterations. The signs and symptoms disappeared after three days of medical management. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day in good clinical condition under verapamil and anti-platelet therapy. Although ACTN2 mutation was associated with cardiac and peripheral vascular disease occurrence, to the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first report of a visceral (splenic) aneurysm directly linked with this rare mutation.

Endovascular treatment of common carotid artery dissection via the superficial temporal artery.

PURPOSE: To describe the endovascular treatment of an iatrogenic common carotid artery (CCA) dissection using the superficial temporal artery (STA) as the principal access. TECHNIQUE: An 83-year-old man with a post-carotid endarterectomy left CCA dissection was admitted for a transient ischemic attack involving the left cerebral hemisphere that occurred despite proper anticoagulation. After excluding redo surgery and transfemoral stenting (owing to a partially compromised aortobifemoral bypass graft), stenting of the left CCA dissection was planned using a right transbrachial approach, with the left STA as an additional access. However, intraoperative angiography showed an acute angle between the innominate artery and left CCA, so the STA was used as the primary access route owing to its straight course and 4-mm diameter. The 9-x40-mm self-expanding stent was inserted via a 5-F sheath in the STA and deployed directly at the CCA dissection. The procedure was successful, and all vessels involved were patent at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, the superficial temporal artery may represent a valid alternative approach for the endovascular treatment of short CCA dissections.

Cerebral embolization during transcervical carotid stenting with flow reversal: a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance study.

Transfemoral filter-protected carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as a valid alternative to carotid surgery. To overcome the drawbacks of femoral access for CAS and reduce embolic load, some have proposed cervical access with internal carotid artery (ICA) flow reversal. In a series of patients at high risk for femoral access who underwent transcervical CAS with ICA flow reversal, we report clinical outcome and intraoperative embolization rates measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). A series of 48 patients were selected for transcervical CAS with carotid flow reversal from September 2004 to July 2007. The indications used for this technique were age >or=80 years, severe aortic and epiaortic vessel tortuosity, widespread calcification of aortic arch or epiaortic vessels, severe aortoiliac occlusive disease, large abdominal aortic aneurysm, and aortobifemoral prosthesis. During the procedure, no adjunctive maneuvers such as external carotid artery balloon occlusion were used. Of the 48 patients, 43 underwent preoperative and postoperative cerebral DW-MRI. The death/stroke rate in the 48 patients was 2.1% (one transient ischemic attack, one minor stroke, and no deaths). None of the procedures led to carotid dissections or access-site complications. Of the 43 patients who underwent DW-MRI, 16 new ischemic lesions were disclosed in six patients (13.9%), four (9.3%) of whom remained asymptomatic. All ischemic lesions were ipsilateral to the treated carotid artery. In patients at high risk for the transfemoral approach, transcervical carotid stenting with flow reversal achieves good technical and clinical results and seems able to reduce the incidence of postoperative DW-MRI ischemic lesions previously reported for transfemoral filter-protected CAS.

Doppler ultrasonography and exercise testing in diagnosing a popliteal artery adventitial cyst.

We describe popliteal arterial adventitial cystic disease which causes intermittent claudication in a young athletic man, with atypical manifestation, without loss of foot pulses on knee flexion nor murmur in the popliteal fossa. The findings obtained from Magnetic Resonance Imaging were non-diagnostic. The diagnosis resulted from Echo-Doppler ultrasonography along with peak exercise testing. Ultrasonography also provided useful physiopathological informations suggesting that a popliteal artery adventitial cyst can become symptomatic if muscle exertion increases fluid pressure within the cyst, enough to cause hemodynamically significant endoluminal stenosis. Rapid diagnosis is essential to prevent progressive claudication threatening limb viability. To guarantee this professional sportsman a reliable and durable outcome, instead of less aggressive management, we resected the involved arterial segment and interposed an autologous saphenous-vein graft.

A Double Nellix and Chimney Covered Stents: Challenging Treatment of Pararenal Aortic Aneurysm.

A 77-year-old male patient presented with a symptomatic, 66-mm pararenal aortic aneurysm. The patient was classified as unsuitable for open surgery due to significant comorbidities. Fenestrated or branched endografts were contraindicated due to the poor iliac access (6 mm diameter). A double Nellix with chimney endovascular aneurysm sealing (ChEVAS) technique was selected to exclude the pararenal aortic aneurysm and to preserve renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery. Technical preplanning considered the ideal proximal landing zone to be close to the origin of the almost occluded celiac trunk and the distal common iliac arteries as the ideal distal landing zone. The total length of the aorta to cover was estimated as >180 mm, requiring 2 aortic EVAS systems, bilaterally overlapped. Technical success was achieved, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 in good general condition. Successful aneurysm exclusion and target vessel patency without endoleak or stent-graft kinking or migration were confirmed at angio-computed tomography at 6 months.

Transcranial Doppler and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance evaluation of cerebral embolization occurring during transfemoral carotid stenting with proximal flow blockage.

BACKGROUND: Transfemoral carotid artery stenting (CAS) with endovascular proximal flow blockage is deemed able to reduce the cerebral embolization observed during filter-protected CAS. We evaluated clinical outcome and intraoperative embolization rates, measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and transcranial Doppler monitoring, in a series of patients undergoing CAS with proximal flow blockage. METHODS: A series of 35 consecutive patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis ≥70% were included to undergo CAS with proximal flow blockage, obtained with the Mo.Ma system. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative DW-MRI in order to detect new ischemic lesions. Of the 35 patients, 31 (89%) underwent intraoperative transcranial Doppler monitoring to record the microembolic signals (MES) produced during each procedure. RESULTS: The MoMa system was successfully used in 34 patients (technical success: 97%). Intolerance to balloon occlusion was observed in 4 patients (12%), but never compromised the completion of the procedure. No deaths or neurological events occurred in the postoperative period. DW-MRI disclosed 74 new ischemic lesions in 8 patients (8/34, 23.5%). All lesions except one were ipsilateral to the treated carotid artery. MES were detected in all procedures, with a mean number of 33.2±23.2 (range 3-103). In 20 procedures (20/31, 65%), MES were detected also during flow blockage (mean: 9.1±7; range 2-28). CONCLUSION: While achieving good technical and clinical results, CAS with proximal flow blockage is still accompanied by a non-negligible cerebral embolization. The detection of MES during ICA flow blockage suggests the need for a better selection of patients.

Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C and D iliac lesions can be treated by endovascular and hybrid approach: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term results of endovascular and hybrid treatment in patients with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II type "C" and "D" aortoiliac lesions and to highlight, in contrast to TASC II guidelines, the importance to analyze individually the lesions of a single iliac axis. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2012, 50 patients with TASC II type C and D aortoiliac lesions underwent endovascular or hybrid treatment. In 38 patients (76%), the lesions were treated by endovascular approach, while in 12 (24%) patients surgical treatment was adopted. All patients underwent a postoperative surveillance program at 1, 3, and 6 months for the first year and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%). The postoperative complication rate was 4%. Primary patency rate was 93.3% at 1 year, 90.2% at 2 years, and 86.6% at 3 years. Cumulative secondary patency rate was 97.7% at 1, 2, and 3 years. Survival after 1 and 2 years was 94.8% and after 3 years was 91.1%. Limb salvage was 100% for the entire period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to TASC II guidelines, the endovascular or hybrid treatment should be considered a valid approach for type C and D lesions. The hybrid treatment, in selected cases, is an effective method to improve the runoff, which plays a key role in the success of the treatment of multilevel stenoocclusive lesions. In TASC II C to D iliac lesions, a specific overview of each axis is necessary in order to select the most appropriate treatment.