Comparative analysis of results of revascularization of the first segment of vertebral arteries

Abstract

Analysed herein is efficacy of various operations on the first segment of the vertebral artery (VA) during treatment of patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). The study enrolled a total of 194 patients with the clinical pattern of VBI induced by an atherosclerotic lesion of the first segment of the VA (stenosis >70%). All patients prior to admission had been receiving a course of medicamentous therapy under neurologist's supervision for more than 6 months with no significant effect. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A included 129 (66.5%) patients with VA tortuosity, subjected to 'open' operations, Group B was composed of 65 (33.5%) patients without VA tortuosity, subjected to stenting of the first segment of the VA. The main criteria of assessing the results were patency of the reconstructed zone and clinical improvement after surgery. In 189 (97.4%) patients we managed to attain stable clinical improvement which persisted after 1 year in 177 (91.2%) patients and after 3 years in 156 (80.2%). In the group of stenting, excellent immediate results were obtained - 100% technical and clinical success. However, in the remote period, the outcomes of 'open' operations turned out to be better as compared with those of stenting. Thus, 3-year clinical efficacy of 'open' and stenting operations amounted to 79.8% and 73.8%, respectively (p>0.05). After 'open' operations there was a significantly lower rate of restenosis of the reconstruction zone (1.6%) than after stenting - 15.4% (p<0.05). However, after 'open' operations the frequency of thrombosis of the reconstructed zone was higher than after stenting - 5.5 vs 1.5% (p>0.05). The incidence of stroke after open operations and after stenting amounted to 2.3 and 3.1%, respectively (p>0.05). Comparative assessment of relapse-free survival after all analysed methods of operations and interventions showed that the best techniques in the long-term perspective turned out to be 'open' operations, and amongst them the operation of transposition of the VA to the common carotid artery (median - 13 years) and the operation of reimplantation of the VA into its ostium (median not achieved in follow up observations for more than 18 years).