Abstract 3471: Emergent Carotid Artery Stenting: Outcomes on a National Level

Abstract

Background: Emergent carotid artery stenting (CAS) is sometimes performed in the setting of acute cerebral ischemia. In this study, we assess outcomes associated with CAS when performed emergently. Methods: A cohort of patients with CAS was identified from the National Inpatient Sample database using the procedure codes (00.63) for the years 2004 through 2007. The type of admission (elective or emergent) for each patient was clarified in the database. Patients with missing admission type were eliminated. We further ascertained the emergent hospitalization by including only patients who were admitted through the Emergency Department. Primary outcomes include stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction or death occurring during the same hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess covariates associated with the primary outcome and hospital mortality. Results: In this analysis, 9001 patients were admitted and treated with CAS; 822 patients (9.13%) had the procedure performed emergently and the rest had elective CAS. The mean age (69.0 ± 13.2 vs. 70.6 ± 10.2) and gender (females 40.4% vs. 39.8%) were similar in both groups. Risk factors included higher rates of congestive failure and chronic lung disease in the emergent group. In addition, emergent CAS had more severe Charlson comorbidity index (4.0% vs. 1.76%; p < 0.0001). Unadjusted analysis showed higher rate of any stroke, myocardial infarction or death in the emergent group (12.3% vs. 3.37%; OR 4.0; 95% CI 3.15, 5.10). Adjusted analysis for the basic demographic, risk factors and the comorbidity index revealed a higher risk of any stroke, myocardial infarction and death when CAS performed emergently (OR 3.27; (95% CI, 2.54, 4.21). Secondary outcomes of hospital mortality (5.11% vs. 0.67%), myocardial infarction (5.47% vs. 1.11%) and intracerebral hemorrhage (2.07% vs. 0.35%) were higher in the emergent CAS group (P < 0.0001). Post-operative stroke rates were similar (1.92% vs. 1.82%; P= 0.85). Intracerebral hemorrhage was the strongest predictor of mortality (OR 64.0; 95% CI 32.1, 127.7). Other predictors of mortality include congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction and the use of thrombolytic. Conclusion: CAS is associated with higher risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and death when performed emergently. Despite the low rate of intracerebral hemorrhage when CAS performed emergently, intracerebral hemorrhage remains the strongest predictor of mortality.