Transcervical approach for carotid artery stenting with transitory reversal flow: Case report

Carotid Artery Disease in the Era of Biomarkers: A Pilot Study

The intima-media thickness (IMT) and its irregularities or ulcerations in the common carotid artery (CCA) are useful tools as sentinel biomarkers for the integrity of the cardiovascular system. Total homocysteine and lipoprotein levels are the most commonly used elements in cardiovascular risk stratification. Duplex ultrasound (DUS), associated with serum biomarkers, can be used simply to assess the degree of atherosclerotic disease and cardiovascular risk. This study highlights the role of different kinds of biomarkers, showing their usefulness and potentiality in multi-district atherosclerotic patients, especially for early diagnosis and therapy effectiveness monitoring. A retrospective analysis performed from September 2021 to August 2022, of patients with carotid artery disease, was performed. A total of 341 patients with a mean age of 53.8 years were included in the study. The outcomes showed an increased risk of stroke in patients with significative carotid artery disease, nonresponsive to therapy, monitored through a series of serum biomarkers (homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and oxidized LDL). In this reported experience, the systematic use of DUS in association with the multiple biomarkers approach was effective for the early identification of patients at higher risk of disease progression or inefficient therapy.

Transcervical approach for carotid artery stenting without flow reversal: A case report

Current treatment options for high-risk patients with severe carotid artery stenosis include transcarotid artery revascularization, transfemoral carotid artery stenting, and carotid endarterectomy. Transfemoral carotid artery stenting is associated with high perioperative stroke risk, and recent studies and trials have identified transcarotid artery revascularization as a new technique able to minimize the stroke risk associated with high-risk procedures. Moreover, the transcervical approach allows easy access to the carotid artery in cases with an anatomically tortuous aortic arch. Therefore, determining the optimal approach to achieve arterial access during carotid stenting is important for successful procedures and positive outcomes. We report a clinical case of ischemic stroke due to severe stenosis of the left internal carotid artery indicated for stent deployment. After transfemoral carotid artery stenting failure, the patient's symptoms progressed from minor stroke to hemiplegia and Broca's aphasia. The transcervical approach was used to perform transcarotid artery revascularization after several days. The procedure was both safe and prevented recurrent stroke occurrence. Although transfemoral access is the classic approach used for carotid stenting, the transcervical approach can be used as an alternative and safe choice in cases with complex vascular anatomy, such as the one described here.