Optical Coherence Tomography of Plaque Erosion and Thrombus in Severe Vertebral Artery Stenosis.

Lin Yan,Adam A Dmytriw,Bin Yang,Liqun Jiao

doi:10.3390/diagnostics11040638

Abstract

A 69-year-old male presented with medically refractory vertebrobasilar insufficiency and paroxysmal subjective dizziness for six months. Severe stenosis of a dominant left V2 vertebral artery segment was identified on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with an irregular intraluminal filling defect immediately above the stenosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated a normal lumen at the distal end, with red thrombus detected distal to the stenosis. Atherosclerotic plaque containing fibro-lipid was also identified and treated with a drug-eluting stent. Distal red thrombi were not covered by stenting, indicating embolization risk in the future. Clear posterior fossa symptoms occurred after intervention, and treatment with a standard dual antiplatelet regimen and statin therapy was prescribed for one year. Six months after treatment, the symptoms improved, and six-minute walking distances were successful with no gait impairment. To our knowledge, this is the first V2 segment stenosis assessed by OCT imaging before and after stenting, indicating an intact fibrous cap with thrombus formation, as well as plaque erosion. Understanding the role and careful use of OCT may improve the identification of red thrombus and plaque erosion when clinically indicated.

Highlights

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Severe stenosis of the dominant left vertebral artery V2 segment was identified on computed tomography angiography (CTA), likely secondary to atherosclerosis, coexisting with an undeveloped left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and leading to an incomplete circle of Willis, which was noted (Figure 1A–D)
Stent apposition and expansion, plaque protrusion, and thrombus characteristics can be clarified through Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging during and post-interventional stenting, which is vital for subsequent therapy

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) demonstrated a corresponding irregular intraluminal filling defect with severe stenosis, and a plan to stent the left V2 stenosis was made (Figure 2A). Stent apposition and expansion, plaque protrusion, and thrombus characteristics can be clarified through OCT imaging during and post-interventional stenting, which is vital for subsequent therapy.

Results

Conclusion