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

Incidence and risk factors for hypotension after carotid artery stenting: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Hypotension is recognized as a common complication after carotid artery stenting, but its incidence and the risk factors associated with it are uncertain. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate and identify risk factors for hypotension after surgery.

METHODS

We retrieved risk factors from eight databases for case-control and cross-sectional studies of hypotension after carotid artery stenting according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines on 28 November 2022. Data were analyzed by using R4.2.1 and Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS

A total of 2843 samples were searched, and 17 publications were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that the incidence of hypotension after surgery was 28.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] (0.225, 0.347)). Age ⩾ 65 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.55, 95% CI (2.50, 8.29), P < 0.00001), stenosis site (bulb) (OR = 4.41, 95% CI (2.50, 7.79), P < 0.00001), severe stenosis (OR = 3.56, 95% CI (1.62, 7.85), P = 0.002), stenosis proximity (⩽ 10 mm) to bifurcation (OR = 2.69, 95% CI (1.74, 4.15), P < 0.00001), calcified plaques (OR = 4.64, 95% CI (1.93, 11.14), P = 0.0006), post-balloon dilation (OR = 5.95, 95% CI (2.31, 15.31), P = 0.0002), bilateral carotid stenting (OR = 30.51, 95% CI (2.33, 399.89), P = 0.009), and intravenous fluid intake/mL on the first postoperative day (mean difference = 444.99, 95% CI (141.40, 748.59), P = 0.004) were risk factors for hypotension after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

A high incidence of hypotension was observed after carotid artery stenting. Age, stenosis site, severe stenosis, stenosis proximity to bifurcation, calcified plaques, post-balloon dilation, type of surgery, and intravenous fluid intake were identified as risk factors.

Plaque Characteristics on CT Angiography Do Not Improve the Ability to Predict Hemodynamic Instability During and After Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic instability is commonly seen during carotid angioplasty and stenting. Although prophylactic treatment with anticholinergics is beneficial, selected use in high-risk patients is desirable. This study examines whether plaque characteristics on computed tomography angiography in addition to demographic factors improve predictive capability.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected information from 298 carotid angioplasty procedures between January 2013 and December 2018. Nine individuals were excluded due to a previous ipsilateral endarterectomy. Our primary outcome was a decrease of 20% or more in heart rate or blood pressure at angioplasty. Data were analyzed using χ2 tests and regression statistics.

RESULTS

Of the 289 patients included for analysis, 57 had intraoperative instability and 26 had postoperative instability. Radiologist interpretation was found to have a risk ratio of 1.63 (95% confidence interval: 1.00-2.65) for intraoperative instability (P=0.080). Intraoperative instability was significantly associated with subsequent postoperative instability (P=0.005). Our regression model included previous endarterectomy and diabetes as predictive factors with a sensitivity of 11.3% and a specificity of 100.0%. Anticholinergic usage was associated with hypotension without coexisting bradycardia with a risk ratio of 2.36 (95% confidence interval: 1.06-5.26; P=0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals without a previous contralateral endarterectomy and/or history of diabetes are at lower risk of hemodynamic instability. The addition of computed tomography angiographic variables does not improve this prediction. Future prospective, randomized work is required to improve our ability to identify and treat individuals at high risk of instability during carotid angioplasty and stenting.

Predisposing Factors and Management of Hemodynamic Depression Following Carotid Artery Stenting

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) involves dilatation of carotid bulb which can trigger a series of neuronal responses resulting in hemodynamic depression that might influence the outcome of the procedure. This is a frequent but underdiagnosed complication of CAS. Although it is mild, transient and self-limiting in majority of cases, it can result in significant morbidity and mortality if persistent. Neurologists should be aware of the predisposing factors and management of this common complication. In patients who present with stroke following carotid stenting, neurologists should be aware of hypoperfusion secondary to hemodynamic depression as a cause of stroke apart from the stent thrombosis and occlusion.

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.

Protected versus Unprotected Carotid Artery Stenting : Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature

Objective

To compare peri-operative any symptomatic stroke after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), based on the application or absence of a cerebral protection device.

Methods

A systematic literature review using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central was done across an online data base from January 1995 to October 2016. Procedures which were performed due to carotid dissection or aneurysm, procedures using covered stents or conducted in an emergency, were excluded. The primary endpoint was perioperative any symptomatic stroke within 30 days after the procedure. A fixed effect model was used in cases of heterogeneity less than 50%.

Results

In the 25 articles included in this study, the number of stroke events was 326 (2.0%) in protected CAS and 142 (3.4%) in unprotected CAS. The use of cerebral protection device significantly decreased stroke after CAS (odds ratio [OR] 0.633, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.479–0.837, p=0.001). In the publication bias analysis, Egger’s regression test disclosed that the intercept was -0.317 (95% CI -1.015–0.382, p=0.358). Regarding symptomatic patients (four studies, 539 CAS procedures), the number of stroke was six (1.7%) in protected CAS and 11 (5.7%) in unprotected CAS. The protective effect against stroke events by cerebral protection device did not have a statistical significance (OR 0.455, 95% CI 0.151–1.366, p=0.160).

Conclusion

The use of protection device significantly decreased stroke after CAS. However, its efficacy was not demonstrated in symptomatic patients. Routine use of protection device during CAS should be critically assessed before mandatory use.

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.

Prediction of Prolonged Hemodynamic Instability During Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors of prolonged hemodynamic instability (HDI) after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Herein, a simplified predictive scoring system for prolonged HDI is proposed.

Materials and Methods

Sixty-six patients who had CAS from 2011 to 2016 at a single institution were evaluated. Prolonged HDI was defined as systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg or <90 mm Hg or heart rate <50 beats/min, lasting over 30 minutes despite medical treatments. For the study, clinical data and radiologic data, including plaque morphology and stenosis were analyzed.

Results

Prolonged HDI was observed in 21 patients (31.8%). Multivariable analysis revealed that calcification (OR, 6.726; p=0.006), eccentric stenosis (OR, 3.645; p=0.047) and extensive plaque distribution (OR, 7.169; p=0.006) were related to prolonged HDI. According to these results, a simplified scoring scale was proposed based on the summation of points: 2 points for calcified plaque, 2 points for extensive plaque distribution, and 1 point for eccentric stenosis. The percentages of prolonged HDI according to the total score were as follows: score 0, 8.7%; score 1, 20.0%; score 2, 38.5%; score 3, 72.7%; score 4, 66.7%; score 5, 100%. From the analysis, the total score in patients with prolonged HDI was significantly higher than those without prolonged HDI (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Prolonged HDI can be associated with calcification of plaque, eccentric stenosis and extensive plaque distribution, and a simplified scoring system enables prediction of prolonged HDI according to our cohort.

Assessing risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events during the perioperative period of carotid angioplasty with stenting patients

Carotid atherosclerotic stenosis is a risk factor for ischemic stroke. The rapid development of neuroimaging techniques had led to carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) becoming a useful, effective and minimally invasive method for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery stenosis. The aim of the present study was to identify independent risk factors to predict perioperative major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events for CAS patients and establish a risk evaluation model. Consecutive patients treated with a standardized CAS procedure were enrolled in the present study. The patients included underwent independent neurological evaluation prior to and after the procedure and at 30 days. The rates of transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction and mortality were recorded. A relative regression model was established to evaluate risk factors of perioperative major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). In total, 403 subjects treated with CAS were enrolled into the study at a baseline MACCE rate of 8.19%, whereas the overall stroke, myocardial infarction and mortality rate at 30 days was 3.97%. The multiple regression analysis revealed that certain factors significantly predicted the 30-day risk of treatment-related MACCE. These factors included age of ≥70 years, ulcerative plaque, severe carotid stenosis, bilateral carotid artery stenting and hemodynamic depression following CAS. The MACCE risk prediction model and risk score system were subsequently established. In conclusion, factors that significantly predicted the 30-day risk of MACCE of CAS included, age of ≥70 years, ulcerative plaque, severe carotid stenosis, bilateral carotid artery stenting and hemodynamic depression, with hemodynamic depression being a controllable factor. The established risk score system is therefore a potentially useful tool that can be employed in the prediction of MACCE after CAS.

The Prevalence and Factors Contributing to Hemodynamic Depression in Patients Undergoing Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic depression, including bradycardia and hypotension, is among the most common complications of carotid angioplasty and stenting.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran from 2011 to 2013. Consecutive patients undergoing carotid angioplasty and stenting were included. Demographic data, atherosclerotic risk factors, preprocedural blood pressure, the site of stenosis, the degree of stenosis, and data regarding technical factors were recorded. Hemodynamic depression was defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg and/or heart rate less than 50 beat/min.

RESULTS

About 170 patients (67% male, mean age: 71+9.8, 55.9% right side, 82.9% symptomatic) were recruited. Mean degree of stenosis was 79.4% in operated side and 40.7% in nonoperated side. Predilation, postdilation, or both were conducted in 18(10.5%), 141(83%), 11(6.5%) patients respectively. Thirteen (7.6%), 41(24%), and 12(7%) of patients developed postprocedural bradycardia, hypotension or both, respectively. Two patients had a stroke after CAS and periprocedural mortality was 0%. Hemodynamic depression after CAS had a significant association with preprocedure blood pressure and the use of an open cell stent design, but not with atherosclerotic risk factors, site and/or degree of stenosis, predilation, or postdilation. Hemodynamic depression significantly increased hospital stay too.

CONCLUSION

Preprocedural hydration and close-cell stents may decrease the risk of poststenting hemodynamic depression.