Carotid artery stenting for stenosis after carotid artery replacement: An illustrative case report

Background

There are few reports on the treatment of carotid artery stenosis after arterial vessel replacement. We report and discuss an illustrative case of carotid artery stenting (CAS) performed for stenosis after carotid artery replacement.

Case Description

A woman in her 20s experienced injury to the right carotid artery during an operation for removal of a carotid body tumor 6 years before presentation. The right common carotid artery and internal carotid artery were replaced with an artificial vessel graft at that time. Intraluminal stenosis in the graft was not identified 3 years after surgery; however, 4 years after surgery, stenosis was recognized at the non-anastomotic site inside the artificial vessel graft. Subsequently, antiplatelet therapy was initiated. The stenosis was noted to progress gradually in follow-up appointments. Therefore, we decided to intervene because of the patient's young age and the risk of long-term hemodynamic stress. Angiography revealed pseudo-occlusion in the artificial vessel. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed for stenosis with distal protection; subsequently, CAS was performed. The patient was discharged without neurological deficits 4 days after the operation, and no apparent restenosis was observed as of the 1-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Stenosis after cervical artery replacement can be safely treated with CAS. Inflation pressure and stent should be selected according to the pathology of the stenosis.

Successful Revascularization has a Significant Impact on Limb Salvage Rate and Wound Healing for Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis with a Multidisciplinary Approach

PURPOSE

Analyze the impact of endovascular revascularization on major amputation rates and wound healing for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Single-center retrospective study from 2014-2018 including 314 patients with DFUs submitted to endovascular revascularizations. Group A-patients with a successful endovascular revascularization (n = 285; 90.8%); Group B-patients submitted to a failed attempt of endovascular revascularization (n = 29; 9.2%). Baseline data were not significantly different between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). Both groups were compared regarding: major amputation rates; wound healing, mortality and adverse events. Survival and regression analyses were used.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up time was 734.1 ± 610.2 days. Major amputation rates were 3.9% versus 24.1% (p < 0.0001) and complete wound healing was 53.7% versus 20.7% (p < 0.0001) for patients from Group A versus Group B, respectively. Major adverse events were registered in 2 patients (one from each group); minor adverse events included 10 patients from Group A and 2 patients from Group B (p = 0.3654). Major amputation rates were: 3.9% versus 27.5% at 1 year; 4.6% versus 27.5% at 2-5 years for Group A versus Group B, respectively (p < 0.0001). Survival rates were: 87.8% at 1 year; 84.4% at 2 years; and 77.9% at 5 years with no significant differences between groups. Predictors for major amputation included failed revascularization (p < 0.0001), older age (p = 0.0394), prior stroke (0.0018), dialysis (0.0476). Predictors for mortality included older age (p < 0.0001) and coronary artery disease (p = 0.0388).

CONCLUSION

Endovascular revascularization for patients with DFUs is safe and has a significant impact on limb salvage and wound healing.

Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment in Symptomatic Intracranial High Grade Stenosis : A Retrospective Study of 33 Patients

PURPOSE

Endovascular therapy (EVT) represents an alternative treatment modality for symptomatic intracranial high-grade atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS); however, periprocedural complication rates as well as midterm restenosis rates represent relevant limitations of EVT. Drug-coated balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (DCB-PTA) may overcome some of these shortcomings. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and safety as well as the stroke recurrence rate in 33 patients.

METHODS

A retrospective, monocentric cohort study of sICAS patients treated with DCB-PTA. Outcome measures were the periprocedural intracranial complication rate, the recurrent stroke rate and mortality during follow-up.

RESULTS

This cohort study included 33 patients with 35 sICAS treated with DCB-PTA. The median age was 72 years (interquartile range, IQR 66-77 years); median clinical and mean radiological follow-up time was 9 months (IQR 3-22 months). Median preprocedural degree of stenosis (WASID) was 80% (IQR 73-80%) and median postprocedural residual stenosis degree (WASID) was 50% (IQR 33-60%). Intracranial periprocedural complications occurred in 2 (6%) patients. The overall restenosis rate was 15% (n = 5). In four patients a symptomatic ischemic re-event occurred within 7 months after the initial treatment. None of the patients died.

CONCLUSION

This DCB-PTA cohort study showed a relatively low intracranial complication rate of 6% with a symptomatic recurrence rate of 12%. Larger trials are needed to validate these promising observations.

A one-sheath inverse method in vascular access intervention therapy for hemodialysis patients

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We describe a one-sheath inverse method in vascular access intervention therapy (VAIVT) for hemodialysis patients.

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It allows VAIVT to be performed using one sheath with one approach site in cases in which lesions are present on the upstream and downstream sides.

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Because vascular access location is usually superficial, the technique can be utilized with relative ease.

Introduction

Vascular access intervention therapy (VAIVT) is an essential interventional therapy in the field of hemodialysis therapy that allows for the long-term vascular access functionality to be maintained. The venous approach is often performed in VAIVT for arteriovenous fistula. When lesions are present on the upstream and downstream sides from the approach site, it is likely that two sheaths will be inserted from two facing punctures. However, we have adopted a one-sheath inverse method using a guidewire in such cases.

Case presentation

We herein describe the steps of the technique that we have performed and report the successful treatment of a 77-year-old woman who developed arteriovenous fistula failure.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, the concrete and detailed technique has not been reported in the English literature to date. The merit of the technique is that it allows VAIVT to be performed using one sheath with one approach site in cases in which lesions are present on the upstream and downstream sides from the approach site. The other benefits include pain reduction, a shortened operation time, and reduced costs. Because vascular access location is usually superficial, the technique can be utilized with relative ease.

Conclusion

A one-sheath inverse method is useful. We hope that the technique will be more widely recognized, allowing the technique to be applied to more cases.

[Subintimal recanalization. Indications, technique and results]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

This article gives an overview of the current importance of so-called subintimal recanalization in the lower extremities.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

The primary technical goal of endovascular interventions in the lower extremities is the endoluminal restoration of blood circulation from the iliac arteries into the feet.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

If endoluminal recanalization of e.g. high-grade flow-relevant stenoses or chronic total occlusion (CTO) is technically not possible, subintimal recanalization is a promising option and the only remaining minimally invasive alternative. During subintimal recanalization a channel is intentionally generated in the vessel wall (dissection) in order to bypass e. g. a chronic vascular occlusion over as short a distance as possible.

PERFORMANCE

The technical success rate for subintimal recanalization of CTO of the lower extremities is 65-100 %. Technical failure occurs in approximately 25 % using the catheter and wire technique and is caused in most cases by difficulties in reaching the true lumen after the subintimal passage (the so-called re-entry).

ACHIEVEMENTS

Compared to conventional subintimal recanalization, in recent years so-called re-entry devices have expanded the technical possibilities and depending on the medical experience and training level of the physician, provide an improvement in the technical success rate, a lower complication rate, a reduction of fluoroscopy time and the amount of necessary contrast medium but also result in higher costs.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Subintimal recanalization, whether carried out conventionally with a catheter and wire or using re-entry devices, of high-grade stenoses or CTO in the lower extremities provides a high technical success rate but requires an experienced and trained physician who is capable of operating the elaborate materials and mastering any possible complications.

Effectiveness of Intracranial Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty or Stenting for Atherosclerotic Vertebrobasilar Artery Occlusion in the Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE

Although short-term clinical outcomes after basilar artery stent placement have been reported previously, effectiveness of intracranial stenting for vertebrobasilar artery occlusion in the acute phase of ischemic stroke is unclear.

METHODS

We clinically investigated 8 patients with intracranial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or stenting as our protocol for symptomatic atherosclerotic vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (age range, 54-80 years; mean age, 69 ± 11 years; 6 men and 2 women) who were admitted to our hospital between August 2013 and December 2015.

RESULTS

Two patients underwent PTA of the vertebrobasilar artery 2-5 months before stent placement. The other 6 patients underwent intracranial stenting just after PTA. Within the first 30 days after vertebrobasilar artery stent placement, 2 ischemic stroke complications affected patients. Ischemic complications were significantly associated with prestent lesion lumen greater than 0.5 mm. The modified Rankin Scale score and clinical outcome were significantly associated with complications. Clinical outcomes correlate with ischemic complications and vertebrobasilar anatomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Stent angioplasty may be a reasonably good treatment option for patients with technically favorable lesions, especially in vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic occlusion with medically or PTA only refractory symptoms. Despite a significant complication rate, most of our patients experienced good to excellent clinical outcomes and were free of vertebrobasilar ischemia at late midterm follow-up.

REVASCULARIZATION OF THE ISCHEMIC UPPER LIMB

Eighteen cases of upper limb ischemia were operated during a 24 month period. Eleven patients presented with features of chronic ischemia, while 7 had acute ischemia with a threatened limb. There were 15 males and 3 females. The average age was 38 years. Associated medical problems were present in 8 patients. Limb perfusion was restored in all patients after direct arterial (bypass) surgery, intra-arterial thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). There was no mortality. The limb salvage rate was 100 per cent. Follow-up of upto 24 months reveals a patent bypass in all patients with no recurrence of symptoms. Upper limb ischemia is not uncommon, and can be treated by thrombolysis, angioplasty or bypass surgery. Direct arterial surgery for upper limb revascularization, though technically demanding, is safe and results in relief of symptoms in the vast majority of patients.