Hemodynamic instability after extracranial carotid stenting

Peri-procedural variables and outcomes of long-period hemodynamic instability after carotid artery angioplasty and stenting

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to identify the peri-procedural risk factors and outcomes of hemodynamic instability (HI) after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective study was performed in 168 patients who underwent CAS procedure between September 2017 and September 2020. The presence of HI, as defined by hypertension (systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg), hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg), and/or bradycardia (heart rate <60 bpm), was recorded. Long-period HI was defined as persistent HI lasting more than 24 h. Patient demographics, comorbidities, peri-procedural variables, and risk factors were recorded. Clinical outcomes including cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality within 30 days of the procedure were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of long-period HI following CAS.

RESULTS

Among 168 patients (mean age, 68.2 ± 8.3 years; 81.5% male), the frequency of post-procedural long-period HI was noted in 42 patients (25.0%). Male was prone to experience HI (odds ratio, 9.156, p = 0.021). Aggressive inflation pressure (>7 atm) and 5 mm balloon for pre-dilatation were risk factors of long-period HI (OR, 7.372, p = 0.035; OR, 3.527, p = 0.023). Intraoperative peak blood pressure and larger-sized stents remained independent predictors for the development of HI (OR, 1.043, p = 0.027, and OR, 1.973, p = 0.015). Patients with prolonged HI were more likely to suffer TIA and stroke compared to other patients and significant difference was found in the occurrence of TIA (p < 0.05). Non-significance was found in mortality rate and other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

CAS-induced HI occurs in a considerable percentage while several peri-procedural variables are determined as independent predictors to develop long-period HI. Patients with prolonged HI are associated with increased risk of neurologic events and thus standardized intervention as well as management of long-period HI are of critical importance during clinical process.

Low left atrial volume is an independent predictor of persistent hypotension after carotid artery stenting

BACKGROUND

Persistent hypotension (PH) after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a relatively common complication; however, it is unclear which patients are more likely to experience this phenomenon. Recently, lower left atrial (LA) volume was associated with vasovagal syncope, which has a similar neurological mechanism to hypotension after CAS. This study aimed to investigate whether LA volume can predict PH after CAS.

METHODS

This single center retrospective analysis used data from 316 patients who had undergone CAS between March 2013 and February 2021. After the exclusion of urgent CAS, 212 procedures (202 patients) with transthoracic echocardiograms were included. The procedures were divided among two groups according to the presence or absence of PH for more than 1 hour after CAS.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 73.0±7.5 years. PH was observed during 52 (24.5%) procedures. The PH group exhibited a lower LA volume index (LAVI) than the no-PH group (29.7±9.1 vs 37.7±12.5 mL/m2, respectively; p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.716. The optimal cut-off value was 33.5 mL/m2 (sensitivity 0.750, specificity 0.625). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that LAVI <33.5 mL/m2 was an independent predictor for PH after CAS (OR 4.950, 95% CI 2.190 to 11.200; p<0.001). Preoperative hydration was negatively associated with PH (OR 0.235, 95% CI, 0.070 to 0.794; p=0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

A lower LA volume can predict PH after CAS, and preoperative hydration may prevent PH after CAS.

The safety and efficacy of the Mo.Ma system device for carotid artery stenting: A single-center experience from Taiwan

Background

Proximal protection devices, such as the Mo.Ma system provides better neurological outcomes than the distal filter system in the carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure. This study first evaluated the safety and efficacy of the Mo.Ma system during CAS in a single tertiary referral hospital from Taiwan. The outcomes of distal vs. proximal embolic protection devices were also studied.

Methods

A total of 294 patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent the CAS procedure were retrospectively included and divided into two groups: 152 patients in the distal filter system group and 142 patients in the Mo.Ma system. The outcomes of interest were compared between the two groups. The factors contributing to occlusion intolerance (OI) in the Mo.Ma system were evaluated.

Results

The procedure success rates were more than 98% in both groups. No major stroke occurred in this study. The minor stroke rates were 2.8% (4/142) and 4.6% (7/152) in the Mo.Ma system and filter system, respectively (p = 0.419). Patients with hypoalbuminemia significantly predicted the risk of stroke with an odds ratio of 0.08 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.01–0.68, p = 0.020] per 1 g/day of serum albumin in the filter group. A total of 12 patients developed OI in the Mo.Ma system (12/142, 8%). Low occlusion pressure predicted the occurrence of OI in the Mo.Ma group with the hazard ratios of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82–0.96) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.84–0.98) per 1 mmHg of occlusion systolic pressure (OSP) and diastolic pressure (ODP), respectively. We further indicated that patients with an OSP of ≥60 mmHg or an ODP of ≥44 mmHg could tolerate the procedure of occlusion time up to 400 s, while patients with an OSP of <49 mmHg or an ODP of <34 mmHg should undergo the procedure of occlusion time less than 300 s to prevent the occurrence of OI.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the Mo.Ma system during CAS in an Asia population. By reducing the occlusion time, our study indicated a lower risk of OI in the Mo.Ma system and proposed the optimal occlusion time according to occlusion pressure to prevent OI during the CAS procedure. Further large-scale and prospective studies are needed to verify our results.

The correlation between the cardiovascular instability and the size of the developed ischaemic lesions in patients who underwent carotid stenting

AIMS

In this study we investigated the relationship between cardiovascular instability and the size of the developed ischaemic lesions during carotid stent implantation by diffusion-weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance (MR) examination.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed anaesthesia reports and follow-up MR examinations after stent implantation of 192 patients in a 3-year period. Nineteen aspects of cardiovascular status were analyzed. We registered the duration of the intervention, low and high blood pressure (BP) values during anaesthesia and heart rates. The fluctuations of BP and heart rate and the time of their compensations after the stent expansion were also recorded. Values were compared with the number and the size of ischaemic lesions on DWI scans. We used Spearman and Kendall rank correlations and Welch's tests for statistical analysis. Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Decreased heart rate significantly correlated with the number (p = 0.0123) and size (p = 0.00323) of ischaemic lesions during stent expansion. Other cardiovascular parameters did not show any significant correlations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that only heart rate attenuation affects the size of ischaemic lesions; thus the prevention of bradycardia is highly important.

Incidence and predictors of prolonged hemodynamic depression after carotid artery stenting: Yet another benefit of statins?

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of prolonged hemodynamic depression (PHD) after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 216 CAS procedures performed in 207 patients (156 male; median and interquartile range (IQR) of age 68 (62-73) yr) between July 2012 and October 2020. PHD was defined as hypotension (systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg) and/or bradycardia (heart rate < 60 bpm) lasting >1 h.

RESULTS

The incidence of PHD was 25.9%. At multivariate analysis, asymptomatic lesions (OR: 2.43, 95% CI (1.16-5.06), p: 0.018), the stenosis proximity (<10 mm) to bifurcation (OR: 2.94, 95% CI (1.34-6.43), p: 0.007) and implantation of a Protege stent (OR: 2.93, 95% CI (1.14-7.53), p: 0.025) were independent risk factors, while statin usage (OR: 0.48, 95% CI (0.24-0.95), p: 0.036) was an independent protective factor for PHD after CAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with asymptomatic lesions and stenosis close to the bifurcation are more prone to PHD. The type of the stent selected significantly influences the risk of PHD. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted to investigate the possible protective role of statins against PHD after CAS.

Predictors of Carotid Artery Stenting-Induced Hemodynamic Instability

BACKGROUND

To address the predictors of hemodynamic instability (HI) related to carotid artery stenting (CAS) and evaluate the association between HI and periprocedural adverse outcomes.

METHODS

This study comprised all consecutive patients who underwent CAS for atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis from March 2014 to May 2018. A standardized dose of atropine (0.4 mg) was given prior to stent deployment. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and neurological status were monitored and recorded. Potential predictors of HI were tested in multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 728 patients were enrolled. Two hundred twenty seven patients (31.2%) developed periprocedural HI. The presence of hypertension (OR, 2.037; 95% CI, 1.292-3.211; P = 0.0022), symptomatic carotid lesions (OR, 1.704; 95% CI, 1.057-2.747; P = 0.0287), right sided lesions (OR, 3.090; 95% CI, 1.934-4.935; P ≤ 0.0001), hyperechoic/calcified plaques (OR, 2.195; 95% CI, 1.458-3.304; p P = 0.0002), and longer lesions (OR, 1.043; 95% CI, 1.012-1.076; P = 0.0072) were significant predictable factors for the occurrence of HI. On the other hand, smoking was significantly associated with a 48.1% decrease in risk of development of HI (OR, 0.519; 95% CI, 0.358-0.754; P = 0.0006). There were no statistically significant differences in periprocedural morbidity or mortality between patients with and without HI.

CONCLUSION

HI occurs in a considerable percentage of patients undergoing CAS. Hypertension, right sided, symptomatic carotid lesions, calcified plaques, and longer lesions were shown to be independent risk factors for the development of periprocedural HI. Conversely, smoking demonstrated a protective effect. HI did not appear to predispose to periprocedural adverse events.

Factors associated with hemodynamic instability following carotid artery stenting

OBJECTIVE

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a major treatment option for carotid artery stenosis, and a recognized alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). However, CAS-related hemodynamic instability occurs frequently and is a known major risk factor of associated complications. This study was undertaken to identify the risk factors of hemodynamic instability associated with CAS.

METHODS

We analyzed the medical records of 128 patients with carotid artery stenosis treated by CAS at our institution from 2014 to 2019 to identify the risk factors of hemodynamic instability after CAS. In addition, the incidences of hemodynamic instability, including bradycardia and hypotension, during and after the procedure were investigated.

RESULTS

Overall, periprocedural bradycardia requiring atropine occurred in 18 (14.1 %) of the 128 study subjects, and postprocedural persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors occurred in 15 (11.7 %). Risk-adjusted analysis showed carotid bulb involvement of a stenotic lesion was an independent risk factor of periprocedural bradycardia (OR 4.25, 95 % CI 1.34-13.40) and postprocedural persistent hypotension (OR 7.36, 95 % CI 1.86-29.12). However, though a preoperative regimen of ≥ 2 antihypertensives was found to be an independent protective factor against postprocedural persistent hypotension (OR 0.17, 95 % CI 0.04-0.81), it was not associated with periprocedural bradycardia (OR 0.37 95 % CI 0.08-1.60).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of hemodynamic instability development is greater when a carotid stenotic lesion involves the carotid bulb, which cautions that careful evaluation is necessary. In addition, the receipt of antihypertensive regimens before CAS had a protective effect on persistent hypotension after CAS, but did not affect bradycardia.

Stellate ganglion ischemia on the prevention of pulmonary vasospasm during bilateral carotid artery ligation: The first experimental study

Fatal pulmonary edema and hemorrhage are significant complications of endovascular treatment in steno-occlusive carotid artery disease; a rational mechanism has not been adequately examined in the literature so far. We investigated if cervical sympathetic ganglia ischemia prevents pulmonary vasospasm on the prognosis of bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCAL). Twenty-three adult New Zealand rabbits (4.2 ± 0.3 kg) were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (G1, n = 5), the sham group (G2, n = 6), and the BCCAL group (G3, n = 12). Common carotid arteries were dissected bilaterally in G2/G3, and permanent BCCAL was applied to only in G3. All animals were followed for 3 weeks and decapitated under general anesthesia. Histopathological changes in stellate ganglia and severity of pulmonary vasospasm-related lung edema and hemorrhage were investigated. Results were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Two animals of G3 dead within three weeks and the remainder were sacrificed three weeks later. Subpleural petechial foci and an endotracheal bloody fluid collection were grossly observed in the lungs. Histopathologically, pulmonary artery vasospasm, perivascular and subintimal edema, interalveolar hemorrhage, and alveolar wall destructions were observed with less ischemic-degenerated neuron density-determined stellate ganglia animals. Neurodegeneration of stellate ganglia may have a beneficial effect on the prevention of lung injury during steno-occlusive carotid artery disease.

Bradycardia and Asystole in Patients Undergoing Symptomatic Chronically Occluded Internal Carotid Artery Recanalization

BACKGROUND

Reports have emerged describing the successful endovascular recanalization of the chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA). The impact this restoration of flow has on the sensitive carotid sinus baroreceptors has not been previously described. In this manuscript, we present the largest COICA surgical series to date, with a specific focus on perioperative heart rate abnormalities.

METHODS

Patient demographics were obtained, and the COICAs were radiographically classified based on the anatomic distribution of the stenosis and collateral flow. Thirty-six patients had a total of 37 COICA revascularization procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients had intraprocedural bradycardia during balloon angioplasty. Three patients went into transient asystole during the procedure, and 2 of these patients had symptomatic bradycardia with ischemic cerebral changes, 1 of which required permanent pacemaking. All other patients had immediate resolution of their bradycardia, asystole, and neurologic symptoms immediately following balloon deflation and pharmaceutical management. There was a statistically significant difference in the observed proportion of bradycardic patients among COICA classifications (P = 0.014). There was no statistically significant difference in mean age between patients with bradycardia and those without (aged 63.36 vs. 67.71 years, P = 0.2265).

CONCLUSIONS

Bradycardia associated with angioplasty of the carotid bulb was observed in the majority of patients receiving COICA revascularization. A small percentage of these patients were symptomatic. Our results suggest that carotid sinus baroreceptors remain active while residing in a complete arterial occlusion, and close monitoring is necessary during balloon angioplasty of the proximal COICA.

Prolonged hypotension after carotid artery stenting: incidence, predictors and consequences

BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic changes frequently occur after carotid artery stenting (CAS), and in some patients these changes, particularly hypotension, may be prolonged. There are discrepant results for predicting patients at high risk for these prolonged hemodynamic changes and identifying the effect on clinical outcome. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency, predictors and consequences associated with prolonged hypotension (PH) after CAS in our center.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the demographics, risk factors, nature of carotid disease, degree of stenosis of both internal carotid arteries, stent diameter and site of dilatation during stenting in 137 CAS procedures. After CAS, duration of hospital stay, complications during hospital stay and major vascular events or death in a 3-month period were evaluated. PH was defined as a systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg lasting more than 1 h despite adequate treatment after CAS.

RESULTS

PH occured in 23 (16.8%) patients. The presence of contralateral stenosis ≥70% and absence of diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with PH. Duration of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with PH. No patients with PH had a periprocedural complication or major vascular events in the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

PH was more prevalent in patients with contralateral high-degree carotid stenosis and patients without diabetes mellitus after CAS. PH did not cause any post-procedural complications or major vascular events at follow-up, but it resulted longer hospital stays. Further studies are needed to better define the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these hemodynamic alterations.

Complications and Predictors of Hypotension Requiring Vasopressor after Carotid Artery Stenting

A significant controversy exists regarding the clinical impact of hemodynamic depression on major adverse events after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and clinical significance of hypotension after CAS. A total of 118 cases of carotid artery stenosis were treated with CAS. Hypotension was defined as sustained systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg and requiring intravenous administration of vasopressor to maintain adequate systolic blood pressure after the procedure. Baseline characteristics, procedural characteristics, and periprocedural major adverse events were retrospectively compared between postprocedural hypotension group and non-hypotension group. Morphological and procedural characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Periprocedural major adverse events, presence of new ischemic lesions, and number of new ischemic lesions were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 1, P = 0.36, P = 0.68). Hypertension was an independent protective factor (P = 0.037), and use of proximal protection and the distance from carotid bifurcation to maximum stenotic lesion ≤ 10 mm were independent risk factors for developing hypotension after CAS (P = 0.034, P = 0.027). There was no significant relationship between hypotension after CAS and major adverse events in this study. Maintenance of periprocedural adequate cerebral perfusion is thought to be important to prevent ischemic complications due to hypotension after CAS, especially in these cases.

Short and Long-Term Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Arterial Blood Pressure Measured through Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the short and long-term effects of carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure on blood pressure (BP) through ambulatory BP monitoring.

METHODS

One hundred fifty three patients who underwent CAS for primary or secondary protection from December 2010 to September 2013 were enrolled to our study. The BP levels of total of 123 patients were monitored for 1 year. Thereafter, the pre-procedure levels of BP were compared with BP levels at the 24-hour and the first year intervals after the procedure.

RESULTS

Systolic and diastolic BP levels at the 24-hour and the first year intervals after CAS were significantly lower than the pre-procedure BP levels. The mean 24-hour systolic BP was 113 ± 13 mmHg and diastolic BP was 63 ± 8 mmHg, both of which were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively), while the pre-procedure mean systolic BP was 133 ± 10 mmHg and the mean diastolic BP was 75 ± 9 mmHg. Moreover, the mean first-year systolic BP was 125 ± 10 mmHg with a decline of 8 ± 8 mmHg and mean diastolic BP was 71 ± 8 mmHg with a decline of 4 ± 7 mmHg, both of which were again significantly lower compared to the pre-procedure levels (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggested that systolic and diastolic BP levels diminished after CAS. Additionally, BP reduction continued even 1 year after the CAS.

[Cardiac arrest after induction of anesthesia in neurosurgical patients]

The paper reports two clinical cases observed with a time lag of four years. In both cases, there were severe clinical symptoms of intracranial hypertension before the surgery. Prompt full-scale resuscitation was required in both cases due to asystole that developed immediately after induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation. In one case, cardiac activity was successfully recovered by complex resuscitation with the emergency drainage of the cerebral ventricles. The possible causes of complications and preventive measures were discussed.

Episodes of flushing, dyspnea and hypertension after carotid stenting for severe carotid stenosis

INTRODUCTION

Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is a treatment option for carotid stenosis in high surgical risk patients. As it implies instrumentation of the carotid bulb, baroreceptors dysfunction may be provoked with consequent hemodynamic instability.

REPORT

An 83-year-old woman treated by CAS presented with episodes of flushing, dyspnea and palpitations accompanied by transitory desaturation, hypertension, agitation and anxiety. Symptoms started 12h after the procedure. Each episode lasted 10 min. Five episodes in 3 days were observed.

DISCUSSION

A dysfunction of the carotid baroreceptors and chemoreceptors was hypothesized.

Incidence and timing of hypotension after transcervical carotid artery stenting: correlation with postoperative complications

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence and timing of hypotension after carotid artery stenting (CAS) and its correlation with postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND

CAS-associated postoperative hypotension has been linked to surgical morbidity and mortality, especially to stroke and cardiac complications.

METHODS

Ninety-seven consecutive patients undergoing transcervical CAS were monitored for at least 12 hr after operation. Hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. Patients were divided into three groups: normal blood pressure and early (≤6 hr) and late (>6 hr) hypotension. Complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Hypotension occurred in 34% of the patients (early hypotension in 63% of them). Hypotension was recorded in 21.6% of patients during surgery and in 21.6%, 15.5%, and 1.0% at 6, 12, and 24 hr postoperatively. Bradycardia occurred in 26.8% during operation and in 25.8%, 13.4%, and 10.3% at 6, 12, and 24 hr after surgery. Intraoperative bradycardia (P = 0.01) and hypotension (P = 0.02) were predictors of postoperative hypotension. The overall rate of complications was 5% without differences between the study groups. The mean length of stay was 3, 3.6, and 2.8 days in the normotensive, early hypotension, and late hypotension groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Most postoperative hypotension episodes occurred within the first 6 hr, and more than one-third between the 6 and 12 hr post-procedure. All patients with late hypotension were asymptomatic. There was no difference in complications between the study groups. In patients undergoing ambulatory CAS, hemodynamic monitoring in the postoperative period is particularly important during the first 12 hr.

Incidence of hemodynamic depression after carotid artery stenting using different self-expandable stent types

The rates of hemodynamic depression (HD) and thromboembolism were compared in 95 carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedures performed in 87 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis using self-expandable braided Elgiloy stents (Wallstent) in 52 and slotted-tube Nitinol stents (Precise) in 43 procedures. The blood pressure, pulse rate, and neurological signs were recorded at short intervals during and after CAS. All patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging within 5 days after the procedure. The incidences of hypotension, bradycardia, and both were 17.9%, 3.2%, and 11.6%, respectively. The rate of postprocedural HD was 23.1% with Wallstent and 44.2% with Precise; the difference was significant (p = 0.025). No patient manifested major cardiovascular disease after CAS. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed thromboembolism after 26.9% and 34.9% of Wallstent and Precise stent placement procedures, respectively; the difference was not significant. The type of self-expandable stent placed may affect the risk of procedural HD in patients undergoing CAS. Postprocedural HD was resolved successfully by the administration of vasopressors and by withholding antihypertensive agents.

Hemodynamic instability during carotid angioplasty and stenting-relationship of calcified plaque and its characteristics

PURPOSE

During carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), hemodynamic instability (HDI) can occur, possibly causing post-procedural ischemic complications. The goal of this study was to investigate the risk factors of HDI focusing on characteristics of plaque.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty nine CAS patients were retrospectively evaluated for HDI. Prolonged HDI that lasted over 30 minutes was analyzed in relation to characteristics of calcified plaque.

RESULTS

Nineteen (48.7%) patients had HDI. Ten of the 19 had both bradycardia and hypotension, and nine had only bradycardia. All bradycardia was treated well with a transcutaneous temporary cardiac pacemaker. But eight patients presented with prolonged hypotension in spite of recovery of bradycardia. Calcified plaque was a related factor associated with HDI (odds ratio, 8.571; 95% confidence interval, 1.321-55.62; p=0.024). Extensive and eccentric type calcified plaques were associated with prolonged hypotension (p=0.04, and p=0.028, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The calcification of plaque is a predictable factor of HDI during CAS, and its extensive and eccentric calcified plaques may be related to prolonged HDI.

Effects of carotid artery stenosis treatment on blood pressure

Object

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the long-term effects of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) on blood pressure (BP).

Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2009, 134 patients underwent 145 procedures for treatment of carotid artery stenosis. Patients with at least 1 year of clinical and radiographic follow-up after treatment were included in this study. A total of 102 patients met this criterion and were placed in the CEA group (n = 59) or the CAS group (n = 43) according to their treatment. The percentage change in BP decrement and the number of patients with a normotensive BP were evaluated and compared between the groups.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to baseline characteristics. Compared with the pretreatment BP, the follow-up BPs were significantly decreased in both groups. At the 1-year followup, the percentage change in the BP decrement was greater in the CAS group (percentage change: systolic BP 9.6% and diastolic BP 12.8%) than in the CEA group (percentage change: systolic BP 5.9% [p = 0.035] and diastolic BP = 8.1% [p = 0.049]), and there were more patients with a normotensive BP in the CAS group (46.5%) than in the CEA group (22.0%, p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Both CEA and CAS have BP-lowering effects. Carotid artery stenting seems to have a better effect than CEA on BP at the 1-year follow-up.

Effects of Carotid Endarterectomy or Stenting on Blood Pressure in the International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS)

Background and Purpose—

Arterial hypotension is more frequently observed early after carotid artery stenting (CAS) than after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), but their long-term effects on blood pressure (BP) are unclear. We compared the effects of CAS and CEA on BP up to 1 year after treatment in the International Carotid Stenting Study.

Methods—

Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA. Systolic and diastolic BP were recorded at baseline, at discharge, and at 1, 6, and 12 months. Antihypertensive medication use was recorded. A per-protocol analysis was performed. Patients with missing BP records were excluded. Between-group BP changes were compared and adjusted for baseline covariates with linear regression. Within-group BP changes were compared with the paired t test.

Results—

CAS (N=587) and CEA (N=637) were both associated with a decrease in BP at discharge, which was greater after CAS (mean difference in systolic BP between groups, 10.3 mm Hg; 95% CI, 7.3–13.3; P <0.0001; in diastolic BP, 4.1 mm Hg; 95% CI, 2.4–5.7; P <0.0001). During follow-up, BP changes were not different between groups. Adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics did not change the results. Fewer patients undergoing CAS used antihypertensive medication during follow-up than patients undergoing CEA (relative risk at 12 months, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85–0.97; P =0.0073).

Conclusions—

CAS leads to a larger early decrease in BP than CEA, but this effect does not persist over time. CAS may lessen the requirement for antihypertensive medication more than CEA.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: www.controlled-trials.com . Unique identifier: ISRCTN25337470.

The association of clinical variables and filter design with carotid artery stenting thirty-day outcome

OBJECTIVE

Patient and device selection are important for the success of carotid artery stenting (CAS). We hypothesize that distal protection filter (DPF) design characteristics that minimize blood flow resistance and maximize capture efficiency are associated with the absence of transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke and neurologic-related death after 30 days.

METHODS

Records from 208 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Filter design characteristics were quantified previously in our laboratory. The association between risk factors and design characteristics with 30-day outcome was quantified using univariate analysis.

RESULTS

The 30-day all-cause stroke and death rate was 8.7% (asymptomatic: 7.7%, symptomatic: 10.6%). Five DPFs were used in the study: Accunet (41.3%), Angioguard (33.2%), FilterWire (24%), Emboshield (1%), and Spider (.5%). Diabetes (P = .04) and prior carotid endarterectomy (CEA, P = .03) were associated with adverse outcome. Prior stroke (P = .01) and prior CEA (P = .04) were significant for peri-procedural stroke. Design characteristics such as capture efficiency were associated with favorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with prior CEA or stroke are more likely to have unfavorable CAS outcomes after 30 days. Filters with high capture efficiency may yield the best clinical results. Analysis of the effect of design characteristics on CAS outcome should aid the design of future devices.

Hemodynamic instability following carotid artery stenting

Object

Postprocedural hypotension and bradycardia are important complications of carotid artery stenting (CAS) and are referred to as hemodynamic instability (HI). However, the incidence and impact of HI on the short-term prognosis of patients have been of a large debate.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients were selected based on NASCET criteria, and they underwent CAS between September 2008 and September 2009. Continuous electrocardiography monitoring and supine blood pressure (BP) monitoring were performed before and after stent deployment and on the following day to detect HI, defined as systolic BP lower than 90 mm Hg or a heart rate lower than 60 bpm. Patients were asked to perform a Valsalva maneuver before and after stent deployment. The Valsalva ratios (VRs) along with other demographic and procedural data were documented and compared between patients with and without incidence of HI.

Results

Seventeen patients (63%) developed HI after CAS. The degree of stenosis was found to have a significant correlation with occurrence of HI (p < 0.006). No other risk factor or demographic data showed any correlation with HI. The VRs were significantly lower in the HI group compared with the non-HI group, indicating a significant autonomic dysfunction (p < 0.003). During follow-up, 1 patient (4.3%) developed major stroke, and the remaining patients were symptom free.

Conclusions

Hemodynamic instability occurs frequently after CAS, but it seems to be a benign phenomenon and does not increase the risk of mortality or morbidity in the short term. A VR at rest less than 1.10, baseline autonomic dysfunction, and degree of carotid artery stenosis can be used as measures for predicting HI after CAS.

Retinal artery embolization during carotid angioplasty and carotid artery stenting: case report

A 69-year-old man presented with a rare case of retinal artery embolization, which occurred as a complication of carotid angioplasty and carotid artery stenting performed for recurrent cerebral infarction. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography showed right internal carotid artery stenosis with ulceration. Carotid angioplasty and carotid artery stenting were performed using the distal protection system with the PercuSurge GuardWire. However, just after dilation, the patient complained of ocular pain and blurred vision on the right, which was subsequently diagnosed as retinal artery embolization. Heparin was given for 15 hours after stenting, and aspirin and ticlopidine medication were continued. The patient received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 1 week. The patient's blurred vision gradually improved, but visual field defect remained. Debris was probably flushed into the external carotid artery, and passed through an anastomosis into the ophthalmic artery, resulting in retinal artery embolization.

Can periprocedural hypotension in carotid artery stenting be predicted? A carotid morphologic autonomic pathologic scoring model using virtual histology to anticipate hypotension

SUMMARY

Periprocedural hypotension, which frequently occurs during carotid artery stenting (CAS), is an important risk factor for complications such as stroke or death after CAS. To determine if a scoring model can be established to predict periprocedural hypotension (systolic blood pressure < or = 90 mm Hg) and prolonged periprocedural hypotension (requiring vasopressor for > 3 hours) in CAS, we conducted a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing interventional treatment of cervical carotid artery stenosis in an urban tertiary referral hospital from April 2006 to April 2007. Forty-eight stenotic lesions in 45 consecutive patients treated with CAS were included in the study. Multivariate analysis showed three independent risk factors of periprocedural hypotension; "fibrous plaque on Virtual Histology" (P = 0.029), "stenotic lesion involving both the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery on angiogram" (P = 0.004), and "patients without history of diabetes mellitus" (P = 0.020). Further, "distance between carotid bifurcation and point of minimum lumen size < or = 10 mm on angiogram" (P = 0.003) was an independent risk factor of prolonged periprocedural hypotension. Carotid morphologic autonomic pathologic score (carotid MAPS), determined by adding one point for each of those risk factors (total 0 to 4), had good discrimination for both periprocedural hypotension (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: ROC AUC = 0.876; SE 0.053) and prolonged periprocedural hypotension (ROC AUC = 0.811; SE 0.066). Carotid MAPS is useful for predicting periprocedural hypotension and prolonged periprocedural hypotension during CAS.

Predictors and timing of hypotension and bradycardia after carotid artery stenting

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hypotension and bradycardia are common in carotid artery stenting (CAS) and are particularly worrisome in the high risk patient who is typically referred for CAS. The purpose of this work was to assess the incidence and predictors of hypotension and bradycardia and the risk of their delayed occurrence after CAS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 53 men and 40 women (median age, 71 years) with symptomatic (57%) or asymptomatic (42%) carotid artery stenosis had CAS performed in our institution between December 2002 and January 2007. Patient vital sign records for the 12 hours post-CAS were analyzed. The relative decrease of blood pressure and pulse rate were used as primary end points, and the requirement of pressor or anticholinergic drugs was used as a surrogate end point. Significant predictors of hypotension and bradycardia were analyzed with a logistic regression model. Cumulative freedom from hypotension and bradycardia was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Negative predictive value (NPV) of screening for early hypotension and bradycardia was determined.

RESULTS

The incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, and both was 14%, 23%, and 15%, respectively. Drug intervention was required in 45 patients (48%). Asymptomatic stenosis was an independent predictor of hypotension and bradycardia. Stenosis proximity to the bifurcation and dilation percentage were independent predictors of the drug intervention requirement. Seven patients (8%) had new onset of hypotension or bradycardia later than 6 hours post-CAS. The NPV of early hypotension and bradycardia was 97% and 93%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study, the risk of hypotension or bradycardia after CAS is significantly influenced by the degree of dilation performed, and the risk of their delayed occurrence may justify a minimum of 12 hours postprocedural vital sign monitoring.