Contemporary carotid imaging: from degree of stenosis to plaque vulnerability

Development of a Whole-Task Simulator for Carotid Endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical education relies on operative exposure with live patients. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) demands an experienced surgeon with a very low complication rate. The high-risk nature of this procedure and the decline in number of CEAs performed annually has created a gap in residency training.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a high-fidelity whole-task simulation for CEA that demonstrates content, construct, and face validity.

METHODS

Anatomically accurate models of the human neck were created using multilayered poly-vinyl alcohol hydrogels. Graded polymerization of the hydrogel was achieved by inducing crosslinks during freeze/thaw cycles, stiffening the simulated tissues to achieve realistic tactile properties. Venous bleeding was simulated using pressure bags and a ventricular assistive device created pulsatile flow in the carotid. Ten surgeons performed the simulation under operating room conditions, and metrics were compared among experience levels to determine construct validity. Participants completed surveys about realism and usefulness to evaluate face validity.

RESULTS

A significant difference was found in operative measures between attending and resident physicians. The mean operative time for the expert group was 63.6 min vs 138.8 for the resident group (P = .002). There was a difference in mean internal carotid artery clamp time of 43.4 vs 83.2 min (P = .04). There were only 2 hypoglossal nerve injuries, both in the resident group (P = .009).

CONCLUSION

The whole-task CEA simulator is a realistic, inexpensive model that offers comprehensive training and allows residents to master skills prior to operating on live patients. Overall, the model demonstrated face and construct validity among neurosurgery and vascular surgeons.

Carotid artery imaging: The study of intra-plaque vascularization and hemorrhage in the era of the "vulnerable" plaque

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is one of the main factors involved in atherosclerotic plaque (AP) instability. Its recognition is crucial for the correct staging and management of patients with carotid artery plaques to limit ischemic stroke. Imaging plays a crucial role in identifying IPH, even if the great variability of intraplaque vascularization and the limitations of our current imaging technologies make it difficult. The intent of this review is to give a general overview of the main features of intraplaque vascularization and IPH on Ultrasound (US), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Nuclear Medicine, and a brief description on the future prospectives.

Novel biomarkers for cardiovascular risk

Cardiovascular disease refers to different diseases involving the heart and/or the arteries and/or the veins. Cardiovascular disease, overall considered, is a notable source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, several research studies are dedicated to explore, by means of biomarkers, the possiblity to calculate the cardiovascular risk both for the onset and for the complications of the related clinical manifestations such as coronary artery disease, carotid artery stenosis, peripheral artery disease, arterial aneurysm, chronic venous disease and venous thromboembolism. This review discusses the most updated information in the area of the novel biomarkers related to omics, imaging techniques and clinical data, that may help physicians in order to improve the knowledge and the management of the cardiovascular risk.