Angioplasty and stenting for the occluded internal carotid artery

Endovascular recanalization for symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion: proposal of a modified angiographic classification and clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To stratify angiographic images of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) into a newly modified angiographic classification, and identify suitable candidates for endovascular recanalization.

METHODS

This study included 51 consecutive patients with symptomatic CICAO who underwent endovascular recanalization at our institution. Patients' clinical information, angiographic findings, procedural results, and outcomes were recorded. We attempted to stratify all angiographic images into categories based on morphological occlusive patterns and distal internal carotid artery (ICA) lumen reconstitution on digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

RESULTS

Four types (I-IV) of CICAO were identified based on angiographic characteristics. We defined type I as having a tapered (IA) or blunt stump (IB) and distal ICA lumen reconstitution with collateral filling; type II as having no stump but with distal ICA lumen reconstitution; type III as having a tapered (IIIA) or blunt stump (IIIB) but no distal ICA lumen reconstitution; type IV as having no stump and no distal ICA lumen reconstitution. The rate of successful recanalization was 90.3 % for type I, 60.0 % for type II, 50.0 % for type III, 0 % for type IV, respectively (P = 0.002). The overall intraoperative complication rate was 11.8 %, and none of them led to severe neurological damage or death. The follow-up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were significantly decreased in successfully revascularized patients, whilst there were no significant changes in the other failed patients.

CONCLUSION

For symptomatic CICAO, our newly modified angiographic classification may be comprehensive and useful in selecting suitable patients for recanalization and grading the difficulty of the procedures.

Hemodynamic Changes in Patients with Chronic Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion After Recanalization

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of endovascular recanalization in patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) and explore the application value of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in endovascular recanalization.

Methods

This non-randomized controlled study included 41 patients with CICAO. All patients received active medical treatment. In this study, patients with successful endovascular recanalization and those who refused endovascular recanalization were included in the recanalization and medication groups, respectively. Before and 90 days after treatment, cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment, and neurological function was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin scale. For patients with successful endovascular recanalization, brain CTP imaging was performed to evaluate hemodynamic changes in patients with CICAO before and three days after treatment.

Results

Overall, 41 symptomatic patients with CICAO were included, and 20 patients received endovascular recanalization therapy, with a success rate of 60% (12/20). The perioperative complication rate was 15% (3/20); there were no events such as hyperperfusion, distal embolism, vascular rupture, or cerebral hemorrhage, and no stroke-related or death-related events. Patients were divided into a medication group (n=21) and recanalization group (n=12). After 90 days of follow-up, patients in the recanalization group showed greater improvement in overall cognitive and neurological function. In addition, successful endovascular recanalization significantly improved cerebral blood perfusion on the occluded side of patients with CICAO.

Conclusion

Successful recanalization can effectively improve the overall cognitive and neurological functions of patients in the short term. CTP can be used to quantitatively evaluate not only the cerebral hemodynamic changes after internal carotid artery occlusion but also the improvement of cerebral blood perfusion after successful endovascular recanalization, which provides a reliable method for postoperative follow-up.

Cognitive and cerebral hemodynamic effects of endovascular recanalization of chronically occluded cervical internal carotid artery: single-center study and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Revascularization of a symptomatic, medically refractory, cervical chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA) using endovascular techniques (ETs) has surfaced as a viable alternative to extracranial-intracranial bypass. The authors aimed to assess the safety, success, and neurocognitive outcomes of recanalization of COICA using ETs or hybrid treatment (ET plus carotid endarterectomy) and to identify candidate radiological markers that could predict success.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of their prospectively collected institutional database and used their previously published COICA classification to assess the potential benefits of ETs or hybrid surgery to revascularize symptomatic patients with COICA. Subjects who had undergone CT perfusion (CTP) imaging and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) testing, both pre- and postprocedure, were included. The authors then performed a review of the literature on patients with COICA to further evaluate the success and safety of these treatment alternatives.

RESULTS

The single-center study revealed 28 subjects who had undergone revascularization of symptomatic COICA. Five subjects had CTP imaging and MoCA testing pre- and postrevascularization and thus were included in the study. All 5 patients had very large penumbra involving the entire hemisphere supplied by the ipsilateral COICA, which resolved postoperatively. Significant improvement in neurocognitive outcome was demonstrated by MoCA testing after treatment (preprocedure: 19.8 ± 2.4, postprocedure: 27 ± 1.6; p = 0.0038). Moreover, successful revascularization of COICA led to full restoration of cerebral hemodynamics in all cases. Review of the literature identified a total of 333 patients with COICA. Of these, 232 (70%) showed successful recanalization after ETs or hybrid surgery, with low major and minor complication rates (3.9% and 2.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

ETs and hybrid surgery are safe and effective alternatives to revascularize patients with symptomatic COICA. CTP imaging could be used as a radiological marker to assess cerebral hemodynamics and predict the success of revascularization. Improvement in CTP parameters is associated with significant improvement in neurocognitive functions.

Endovascular recanalization of chronically occluded internal carotid artery

Background

It is debated whether endovascular treatment is indicated for a symptomatic chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA).

Objective

To assess outcomes after endovascular treatment of COICA.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of three databases (PRISMA guidelines), including endovascular series of COICA. Outcomes were analyzed with random-effects models.

Results

We included 13 studies and 528 endovascularly treated patients with COICA. Successful recanalization was 72.6% (347/528, 95% CI 65.4% to 79.9%, I2=68.9%). Complications were 18% (88/516, 95% CI 12.1% to 23.8%, I2=65%), with 5% (25/480, 95% CI 2% to 7%, I2=0%) of permanent events, and 9% (43/516, 95% CI 6% to 13%, I2=34%) of thromboembolisms. Treatment-related mortality was 2% (11/516, 95% CI 0.5% to 2.6%, I2=0%). Shorter duration of the occlusion was associated with higher recanalization: 80% (11/516, 95% CI 54% to 89%, I2=0%), 63% (33/52, 95% CI 49% to 76%, I2=0%), and 51% (18/35, 95% CI to 37% to 88%, I2=40%) recanalization rates for 1, 3, and >3 months occlusions, respectively. Complications were 6% (3/50, 95% CI 3% to 21%, I2=0%), 14% (4/27, 95% CI 5% to 26%, I2=0%), and 25% (13/47, 95% CI 10% to 30%, I2=0%) for 1, 3, and >3 months occlusions, respectively. Patient aged <70 years presented higher revascularization rates (OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 10, I2=0%, p=0.05). Successful reperfusion was higher (OR=5.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 26, I2=60%, p=0.02) and complications were lower (OR=0.2, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.8, I2=0%, p=0.03) for lesions limited to the cervical internal carotid artery compared with the petrocavernous segment. Successful recanalization significantly lowered the rate of thromboembolisms (OR=0.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 0.6, I2=0%, p=0.01) and mortality (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.9, I2=0%, p=0.04), compared with conservative treatment.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of COICA gives a 70% rate of successful recanalization, with 5% morbidity. Patients aged <70 years, lesions limited to the cervical internal carotid artery, and a shorter duration of the occlusion decreased the risk of complications. Successful recanalization of symptomatic lesions lowered by about 80% the likelihood of thromboembolisms, compared with medical management.

Feasibility, safety, and changes in systolic blood pressure associated with endovascular revascularization of symptomatic and chronically occluded cervical internal carotid artery using a newly suggested radiographic classification of chronically occluded cervical internal carotid artery: pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The overall risk of ischemic stroke from a chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA) is around 5%-7% per year despite receiving the best available medical therapy. Here, authors propose a radiographic classification of COICA that can be used as a guide to determine the technical success and safety of endovascular recanalization for symptomatic COICA and to assess the changes in systemic blood pressure following successful revascularization.

METHODS

The radiographic images of 100 consecutive subjects with COICA were analyzed. A new classification of COICA was proposed based on the morphology, location of occlusion, and presence or absence of reconstitution of the distal ICA. The classification was used to predict successful revascularization in 32 symptomatic COICAs in 31 patients, five of whom were female (5/31 [16.13%]). Patients were included in the study if they had a COICA with ischemic symptoms refractory to medical therapy. Carotid artery occlusion was defined as 100% cross-sectional occlusion of the vessel lumen as documented on CTA or MRA and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography.

RESULTS

Four types (A-D) of radiographic COICA were identified. Types A and B were more amenable to safe revascularization than types C and D. Recanalization was successful at a rate of 68.75% (22/32 COICAs; type A: 8/8; type B: 8/8; type C: 4/8; type D: 2/8). The perioperative complication rate was 18.75% (6/32; type A: 0/8 [0%]; type B: 1/8 [12.50%]; type C: 3/8 [37.50%], type D: 2/8 [25.00%]). None of these complications led to permanent morbidity or death. Twenty (64.52%) of 31 subjects had improvement in their symptoms at the 2-6 months' follow-up. A statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was noted in 17/21 (80.95%) patients who had successful revascularization, which persisted on follow-up (p = 0.0001). The remaining 10 subjects in whom revascularization failed had no significant changes in SBP (p = 0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

The pilot study suggested that our proposed classification of COICA may be useful as an adjunctive guide to determine the technical feasibility and safety of revascularization for symptomatic COICA using endovascular techniques. Additionally, successful revascularization may lead to a significant decrease in SBP postprocedure. A Phase 2b trial in larger cohorts to assess the efficacy of endovascular revascularization using our COICA classification is warranted.

Hybrid Surgery for Internal Carotid Artery Revascularization

OBJECTIVE

The management of chronic complete internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (COICA) has been challenging. Endovascular procedures have been performed with variable success and risks, depending on the type of occlusion and distal revascularization. We present a novel hybrid procedure to recanalize the ICA when previous endovascular interventions have failed or been deemed too risky.

METHODS

Two patients presented with symptomatic COICA after maximal medical management. They were deemed at high risk of endovascular intervention and/or previous endovascular attempts had failed. Thus, they had indications for a hybrid procedure.

RESULTS

A hybrid technique was used to create a stump by surgical endarterectomy, followed by recanalization using an endovascular approach via femoral access. We have described the technique in detail. Postoperative computed tomography perfusion scanning showed normalization of the mean transient time, cerebral blood volume, and cerebral blood flow compared with the preoperative findings. Cerebral angiography showed successful recanalization of the ICA. Neither patient experienced any complications.

CONCLUSION

A hybrid technique is feasible and should be considered for patients with COICA in whom maximal medical management has failed and who have a high-risk profile for endovascular intervention or in whom previous endovascular attempts have failed.

Management of patients with atherosclerotic carotid occlusion

OPINION STATEMENT

• Patients with acute ischemic stroke due to atherosclerotic carotid artery occlusion (ACAO) should receive intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase) if they meet eligibility criteria of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) or the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study III (ECASS III). • Patients with acute stroke due to ACAO who are not eligible for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator should receive aspirin. Heparin or heparin-like drugs do not improve outcome and should not be used. • Therapy for prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with ACAO should consist of lifestyle modifications, risk factor intervention, and antiplatelet drugs. Warfarin is not indicated. • Extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery provides no benefit over medical therapy in preventing recurrent stroke in a general population of patients with ACAO or in any subgroups selected by clinical, arteriographic, or hemodynamic criteria. • Other surgical or endovascular procedures have no proven value in treating or preventing stroke due to ACAO. • Asymptomatic carotid occlusion has a benign prognosis and requires no specific treatment other than lifestyle modification and risk factor intervention.