Conventional Carotid Endarterectomy Research Articles

Prospective single-center study on the reliability of ipsilateral cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy as a predictor for selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

Many techniques are available for the intraoperative assessment of brain perfusion during carotid endarterectomy, such as carotid stump pressure, near-infrared spectroscopy, somatosensory evoked potentials, transcranial Doppler, electroencephalography, and clinical assessment. The decision for selective carotid shunt insertion is dependent on clinical deterioration or the detection of cerebral hypoperfusion after cross-clamping of the internal carotid artery. Monitoring cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive technique for cerebral oxygen saturation measurement, reflecting changes in cerebral blood flow during carotid endarterectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy as a predictor of selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy. In total, 47 conventional carotid endarterectomy surgeries were performed at our hospital between March 2016 and December 2021. All surgeries were performed under a regional cervical block supplemented with local infiltration anesthesia. All patients were monitored by cerebral oximetry using bilateral near-infrared spectroscopy probes and clinical assessment through communication with the patient (numerical, visual, and verbal) to indicate a selective shunt. Near-infrared spectroscopy values were recorded before and after internal carotid cross-clamping and after declamping. Any decrease in ipsilateral cerebral oximetry-near-infrared spectroscopy values equal to or more than 20% from the pre-clamping baseline reading associated with deterioration in neurological status (hemiparesis, aphasia, or deterioration in level of consciousness) after internal carotid artery cross-clamping was considered an indication for intraluminal carotid shunting. After internal carotid artery cross-clamping, 5 of 47 patients (10.6%) developed a significant drop in cerebral oxygen saturation associated with obvious clinical assessment deterioration in verbal communication and weakness in contralateral arm power. A Pruitt-Inahara carotid shunt was subsequently inserted, and 42 patients remained stable throughout surgery. The average decline in ipsilateral near-infrared spectroscopy values was 23.8% in patients with clinical deterioration. The average decline was 8.6% in patients who remained stable. Monitoring ipsilateral cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy is an easy and reliable method for indicating selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy. A 20% decrease in ipsilateral brain tissue oximetry after internal carotid artery cross-clamping provides a reliable cut-off value for selective intraluminal carotid shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

Clinical Outcomes and Midterm Mortality After Carotid Endarterectomy: A Single Center Study

Background/Aims: This single-center study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and midterm mortality in patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for various indications. Methods: The study included 109 patients who underwent CEA at our institution. Demographic characteristics, indications for surgery, operative techniques, and early postoperative complications were recorded. Follow-up data were obtained for a mean period of 23.3 ± 17.2 months, and mortality causes, and neurological outcomes were analysed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.53 ± 8.00 years, with 73 men and 36 women. Indications for CEA included transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 21.1% and a history of ischemic stroke in 26.6% of patients. Overall, 86.2% had ipsilateral carotid stenosis of 70% or more. Most patients (89.9%) were operated under general anesthesia, and the conventional carotid endarterectomy technique was most employed (78.0%). The most frequent reconstruction method for the longitudinal carotid arteriotomy was Dacron patch plasty (56.0%). Early follow-up revealed low hospital mortality (0.9%) and limited postoperative complications (3.7% TIA, 1.8% major neurological complications, and 1.8% minor neurological complications). During the follow-up period, absolute survival was 87.0%. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates favourable early outcomes and acceptable long-term mortality rates following CEA. However, larger, and multicentre studies are warranted to further validate these results and enhance our understanding of CEA's long-term benefits

History of Carotid Artery Reconstruction around the World and in Japan.

Since ancient times, physicians have been aware of correlations between the carotid artery and consciousness; however, carotid stenosis was only recently identified as the cause of atherothrombotic ischemic stroke. In 1658, Wepfer described the first suggestion of a link between symptoms of cerebral arterial insufficiency and carotid pathology. In 1951, Fisher reported details of the symptoms and pathological findings and emphasized that cervical atheromatous lesions induced cerebral infarction with various symptoms. The beginning of carotid artery surgery was ligation of the carotid artery for neck or head injury, but surgeons were aware that this operation induced cerebral symptoms due to lack of blood supply. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was first reported by Eastcott et al. in 1954, and in Japan, Kimoto performed a successful CEA in 1962. In 1979, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed for patients with fibromuscular dysplasia, and then, carotid artery stenting (CAS) was first performed in 1989 by Mathias. In Japan, Kuwana et al. were the first to perform carotid PTA, in 1981, whereas Yamashita et al. performed the first CAS in 1997. Yoshimura et al. proposed staged carotid stenting to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome. Some issues in carotid reconstruction are still debated today, which include conventional (standard) CEA versus the eversion technique, CEA versus CAS versus medical therapy, and medical economic problems. In the future, we must continue to develop more effective, safer, and less expensive therapeutic methods to prevent carotid stroke, carrying on the efforts of the ancient peoples who pioneered this research.

The Three Most Discussed Questions in Carotid Artery Surgery. Review of Russian and Foreign Studies in the Last Five Years

This literature review analyzes Russian and foreign publications over the past five years on the three most discussed issues related to carotid artery surgery: 1.Which is more effective: eversion carotid endarterectomy or conventional carotid endarterectomy with patch closure? 2. Which is better: carotid endarterectomy (CEE) or carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS)? 3. How soon after the development of ischemic stroke should cerebral revascularization be performed? The authors of the article came to the following conclusions: 1. According to the majority of large studies and meta-analyses, conventional CEE with patch closure is associated with a higher risk of internal carotid artery restenosis compared to eversion carotid endarterectomy. Single-center trials with small samples of patients do not find statistical differences between the outcomes of applying both surgical techniques. 2. Large multicenter randomized trials are required to address the effectiveness of CEA and CAS in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. To date, there has been no consensus on this matter. 3. CEE and CAS can be equally effective and safe in the most acute and acute periods of ischemic stroke when performed in the presence of a mild neurological deficit and the ischemic brain lesion not exceeding 2.5 cm in diameter. Nevertheless, the choice of treatment strategy should be made strictly personalized by a multidisciplinary council based on the experience of the institution and current recommendations.

"<i>Festina lente</i>" — a multicenter study on the outcomes of carotid endarterectomy, depending on vessel suturing speed

Aim. Analysis of inhospital and long-term outcomes of conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) depending on vessel suturing speed.Material and methods. The present prospective multicenter study for the period from March 1, 2017 to October 1, 2020 included 2366 patients who underwent conventional CEA with patch angioplasty. Depending on the time required to apply 1 stitch, 4 groups of patients were formed: group 1 (n=471; 19,9%) — 1 stitch per 2 seconds; group 2 (n=865; 36,5%) — 1 stitch per 3 seconds; group 3 (n=692; 29,2%) — 1 stitch per 4 seconds; group 4 (n=338; 14,3%) — 1 stitch per 5 seconds. The term "stitch" refers to two needle punctures. The follow-up postoperative period was 18,5±11,0 months.Results. There were no deaths and myocardial infarctions (MI) in the inhospital postoperative period. In group 1, anastomotic bleeding (n=93; 19,7%; p<0,0001) and stroke (n=3; 0,63%; p=0,02) due to internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis were more common. In the long-term follow-up period, there were no significant differences in mortality and MI rates. However, ICA restenosis requiring repeated CEA (n=37; 7,85%; p<0,0001) and related stroke/transient ischemic attack (n=13; 2,8%; p=0,0001) were more often diagnosed in 1 group of patients. According to Kaplan-Meier curves, restenosis was most often revealed 6 months after CEA in the general sample.Conclusion. 1. Vessel suturing at a speed of 1 stitch per 2 seconds is associated with an increased risk of intraoperative ICA thrombosis, bleeding along the anastomosis, stroke, as well as restenosis and stroke in the long-term follow-up period. 2. Vessel suturing at a speed of 1 stitch per 5 seconds is not accompanied by an increase in inhospital stroke rate, despite the maximum ICA occlusion time relative to other groups of patients. 3. Vessel suturing at a speed of 1 stitch per 3 or 4 seconds characterized by the lowest incidence of all complications at the inhospital and long-term stages of postoperative follow-up.

Primary versus patching versus eversion as carotid endarterectomy closure.

The type of closure after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), whether with patching primary closure or eversion resulting optimal results, remains somewhat controversial. We conducted a PubMed literature review search comparing CEA with patching versus CEA with primary closure versus eversion CEA over the past four decades with emphasis on randomized controlled trials and systematic/meta-analysis and large single center or multicenter studies. The data showed that routine carotid patching can be recommended over primary closure (level 1 evidence); however, CEA with primary closure can be used for large internal carotid arteries (ICAs)>6 mm. Moreover, selective patching with CEA lacks level 1 evidence support. No significant differences were noted among the various patch materials used (e.g., synthetic patches like dacron, ACUSEAL, PTFE, pericardial patches and vein patches) and in the stroke/death rates between eversion carotid endarterectomy (ECEA) and conventional CEA (CCEA) with patching. In addition, no significant restenosis rates were noted between CEA with patching and ECEA; however, CEA with primary closure had higher late restenosis rates. There is level 1 evidence to support CEA with patching or eversion over primary closure and there is also no significant difference between the use of various patches.

Editor's Choice – Nationwide Outcome Analysis of Primary Carotid Endarterectomy in Symptomatic Patients Depending on Closure Technique and Patch Type

Current European guidelines recommend both eversion carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and conventional CEA with routine patch closure, rather than routine primary closure. Polyester and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have been used as patch material for a long time. More recently, bovine pericardium has been used; however, there are few studies comparing long term results between bovine pericardium and other patch types. The aim of this study was to investigate the short and long term results after CEA depending on surgical technique and patch material. A registry based study on all primary CEAs (n= 9 205) performed for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis in Sweden from July 2008 to December 2019, cross linked with data from the Swedish stroke registry, Riksstroke, and chart review for evaluation of any events occurring during follow up. The primary endpoint was ipsilateral stroke < 30 days. Secondary endpoints included re-operations due to neck haematoma and < 30 day ipsilateral stroke, > 30 day ipsilateral stroke, all stroke > 30 days, and all cause mortality. 2 495 patients underwent eversion CEA and 6 710 conventional CEA for symptomatic carotid stenosis. The most commonly used patch material was Dacron (n= 3 921), followed by PTFE (n= 588) and bovine pericardium (n= 413). A total of 1 788 patients underwent conventional CEA with primary closure. Two hundred and seventy-three patients (3.0%) had a stroke < 30 days. Primary closure was associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral stroke and stroke or death <30 days: odds ratio 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 - 2.4, p= .002); and 1.5 (95% CI 1.2 - 2.0), respectively. During follow up (median 4.2 years), 592 patients had any form of stroke and 1 492 died. There was no significant difference in long term risk of ipsilateral stroke, all stroke, or death depending on surgical technique or patch material. There was an increased risk of ipsilateral stroke < 30 days in patients operated on with primary closure compared with eversion CEA and patch angioplasty. There was no difference between primary closure, different patch types, or eversion after the peri-operative phase.

The role of patch closure in current-day carotid endarterectomy.

It has long been debated whether it is preferable to perform conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with or without patch closure. Although most contemporary surgeons patch, many still do not. Recent small studies have surfaced implying patching is unnecessary. The objective of our analysis was to determine the difference in short- and long-term outcomes according to patch use in a large modern, cross-specialty database. Analyzing more than 118,000 records from the Vascular Quality Initiative, multimodel inference was used to evaluate the effect of patch use on important outcomes of conventional CEA. The composite short-term outcome included any ipsilateral neurological event, return to the operating room for a neurological event, and an increase in the Rankin score postoperatively. Late composite outcome incorporated restenosis as well as early and late ipsilateral neurological events. Patch use for conventional CEA closure was found to be a strong predictor of both early and late outcomes, as evidenced by its Akaike importance weight of 0.99. Examining predischarge events, patch closure is associated with a decrease in major negative events (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.6). For long-term events, such closure offers a decrease in untoward outcome (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.9). Analysis in a large current-day database suggests that patch closure of conventional CEA effects superior short- and long-term outcomes.

Does the eversion technique have a lower early postoperative stroke rate than the conventional technique in carotid endarterectomy?

A best evidence topic has been constructed using a described protocol. The three-part question addressed was: In carotid surgery, Does the eversion technique (ECEA) has an early postoperative lower stroke rate, As compared to conventional carotid endarterectomy (CCEA)? The outcome assessed was the stroke rate in the early potoperative period (30 days) in the two techniques. The best evidence confirmed that there is no statistically significant difference between ECEA and CCEA regarding the early postoperative stroke incidence.

Carotid endarterectomy accompanied by radium- 224 patch angioplasty- mediated diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy (DaRT) for restenosis prevention

Background and Aims : Patch angioplasty in conventional carotid endarterectomy is suggested to reduce the risk of restenosis and recurrent ipsilateral stroke compared with primary closure. Diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy (DaRT) is a new treatment modality, which utilizes seeds embedded with a low activity of radium- 224 (224Ra). Each seed continuously emits the short-lived alpha particles, which spread over several mm around it, creating a 'apoptotic region' of high alpha-particle dose.

Impact of Single Versus Multiple Stent Selection for Treatment of Solitary Lesions During Carotid Artery Stenting

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) via either transfemoral or transcarotid (transcarotid artery revascularization) approaches has emerged as a safe and feasible option for patients with high anatomic and/or physiologic risks for conventional carotid endarterectomy. We studied the differences in outcomes for patients receiving single vs multiple stents for the treatment of isolated internal carotid artery lesions.

CarotidSCORE.RU — risk stratification for complications after carotid endarterectomy

Aim. To demonstrate the first Russian computer program (carotidscore.ru) for risk stratification of postoperative complications of carotid endarterectomy (CE).Material and methods. The present study is based on the analysis of a multicenter Russian database including 25812 patients after CE operated on from January 1, 2010 to April 1, 2022. The following types of CE were implemented: conventional CE with patch angioplasty — 6814 patients; eversion CE — 18998 patients. Following postoperative complications were assessed during the study: death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), composite endpoint (death + stroke + MI).Results. During inhospital postoperative period, 0,18% of participants died, while 0,14% had MI, 0,35% — stroke. The composite endpoint was recorded in 0,68%. For each factor present in patients, a predictive coefficient was estimated. The predictive coefficient was considered as a numerical parameter reflecting the strength of the effect of each factor on the development of postoperative complications. Based on this equation, predictive coefficients were calculated for each factor present in patients in our study. The total contribution of these factors was reflected as a percentage and denoted the risk of postoperative complications with a minimum of 0% and a maximum of 100%. On the basis of obtained calculations, a CarotidSCORE program was created. Its graphical interface is based on the QT framework. It is possible not only to estimate the risk of a complication, but also to save all data about a patient in JSON format. The CarotidSCORE program contains 47 patient parameters, including clinical, demographic, anamnestic and angiographic characteristics. It makes it possible to choose one of the four CE types, which will provide an accurate stratification of the complication risk for each of them.Conclusion. CarotidSCORE (carotidscore.ru) may determine the probability of postoperative complications in patients undergoing CE.

Long-term outcomes of eversion and conventional carotid endarterectomy: A multicenter clinical trial.

To compare the long-term results of eversion (ECEA) and conventional carotid endarterectomy (CCEA). We designed a retrospective, multicenter study which included 25,106 patients who underwent ECEA (n = 18,362) or CCEA (n = 6744). The duration of follow-up was 124.7 ± 53.8months. In the postoperative period, none of the interventions showed clear benefits reducing the frequency of complications: fatal outcome (ECEA: 0.19%, n = 36; CCEA: 0.17%, n = 12; OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.57-2.11, p = 0.89), myocardial infarction (ECEA: 0.15%, n = 28; CCEA: 0.13%, n = 9; p = 0.87; OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.53-2.42); acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (Group I: 0.33%, n = 62; Group II: 0.4%, n = 27; p = 0.53; OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0, 53-1.32); bleeding with acute haematoma appearance in the area of intervention (Group I: 0.39%, n = 73; Group II: 0.41%, n = 28; p = 0.93; OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0, 61-1.48); internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis (Group I: 0.05%, n = 11; Group II: 0.07%, n = 5; OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.28-2.32, p = 0.90). During the long-term follow-up, ECEA was associated with lower frequency of fatal outcome (ECEA: 2.7%, n = 492; CCEA: 9.1%, n = 616; OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.24-0.3, p < 0.0001), cerebrovascular death (ECEA: 1.0%, n = 180; CCEA: 5.5%, n = 371; OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.14-0.21, p < 0.0001), non-fatal ischaemic stroke (ECEA: 0.62%, n = 114; CCEA: 7.0%, n = 472; OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.06-0.1, p < 0.0001); repeated revascularization because of >60% restenosis (ECEA: 1.6%, n = 296; CCEA: 12.6%, n = 851; OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.09-0.12, p < 0.0001), and combined endpoint (ECEA: 2.2%, n = 397; CCEA: 13.2%, n = 888; OR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.12-1.16, p < 0.0001). ECEA is beneficial over CCEA in a long term.

Carotid endarterectomy; A new center, two years results

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and early postoperative complications of patients who underwent conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a secondary level hospital retrospectively. Material and Methods: Forty-six patients who operated by a single surgeon at Sinop Ataturk State Hospital between January 2015 to December 2016 were included in the current study. Data regarding to demographic characteristics, symptoms, distribution of lesions, diagnostic methods, operation technique and early complications have been collected from handwritten and electronic clinical records. Results: The mean age was found as 70.9±9.7. Thirty patients were male. The most common risk factors were hypertension (93.5%), hyperlipidemia (50%), cigarette (41.3%) and diabetes (34.8%). Conventional CEA (CCEA) was performed to all patients. Patch plasty was applied to only one patient. According to the internal carotid artery stump pressure, T shunt was performed to 17.4% of patients. One patient died in early postoperative period because of myocardial infarction. In four patients; transient dysphagia, in three patients; hematoma requiring revision, in one patient; uncontrolled hypertension, and in one patients wound infection occurred. Furthermore, delirium occurred in one patient. Conclusion: Our experience CEA are compatible with the literature. Our results have supported that CCEA with measurement of carotid arter stump pressure are reliable surgical procedure for patients with carotid artery stenosis. Cardiac complications are rare but it can be mortal. Minor surgical complications are more common than death and stroke risk. However, close follow-up can prevent serious complications.

No Evidence for Long Term Blood Pressure Differences Between Eversion and Conventional Carotid Endarterectomy in Two Independent Study Cohorts

Blood pressure (BP) management is a vital aspect of stroke prevention and post-stroke care. Different surgical carotid endarterectomy (CEA) techniques may impact on BP control post-operatively. Specifically, the carotid sinus nerve, which innervates the carotid baroreceptors and carotid body, is commonly left intact during conventional CEA but is routinely transected as part of eversion CEA. The aim of this study was to assess long term BP control after eversion and conventional CEA. Patients from the International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS cohort) and a personal series of patients from the Stroke Clinical Trials Unit at University College London (UCL cohort) were separately analysed and divided into eversion and conventional CEA groups. Mixed effect linear models were fitted and adjusted for baseline demographic data and antihypertensive treatment to test for changes in BP from baseline over a three year follow up period after the respective procedures. There were no differences in changes in baseline BP readings and follow up readings between eversion and conventional CEA in the ICSS or UCL cohorts. In the ICSS cohort a mild but significant systolic (-8.6 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI] -10.6 - -6.6) and diastolic (-4.9 mmHg; 95% CI -6.0 - -3.8) BP lowering effect was evident at discharge in the conventional group but not in the eversion CEA group. BP monitoring during follow up did not reveal any consistent BP changes with either conventional or eversion CEA vs. baseline levels. Neither conventional nor eversion CEA seem to result in clinically significant long term BP changes. Potential concerns related to either short or long term alterations in BP levels with transection of the carotid sinus nerve during eversion CEA could not be substantiated.

Ten-year long-term outcomes of conventional and eversion carotid endarterectomy. Multicenter study

Aim. To analyze the immediate and long-term outcomes of eversion and conventional carotid endarterectomy (CE) with patch angioplasty.Material and methods. For the period from February 1, 2006 to September 1, 2021, the present retrospective multicenter open comparative study included 25106 patients who underwent CE. Depending on the technique of operation, the following groups were formed: group 1 (n=18362) — eversion CE; group 2 (n=6744) — conventional CE with patch angioplasty. The long-term follow-up period was 124,7±53,8 months.Results. In the hospital postoperative period, the groups were comparable in incidence of all complications: lethal outcome (group 1: 0,19%, n=36; group 2: 0,17%, n=12; p=0,89; odds ratio (OR) =1,1; 95% confidence interval (CI) =0,57- 2,11); myocardial infarction (MI) (group 1: 0,15%, n=28; group 2: 0,13%, n=9; p=0,87; OR=1,14; 95% CI=0,53-2,42); stroke (group 1: 0,33%, n=62; group 2: 0,4%, n=27; p=0,53; OR=0,84; 95% CI=0,53-1,32); bleeding with hematoma formation (group 1: 0,39%, n=73; group 2: 0,41%, n=28; p=0,93; OR=0,95; 95% CI=0,61-1,48); internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis (group 1: 0,05%, n=11; group 2: 0,07%, n=5, p=0,9; OR=0,8; 95% CI=0,28-2,32). In the long-term follow-up, the groups were comparable only in MI incidence: group 1: 0,56%, n=103; group 2: 0,66%, n=45; p=0,37; OR=0,84; 95% CI=0,59-1,19. All other complications were more frequent after conventional CE with patch angioplasty: all-cause death (group 1: 2,7%, n=492; group 2: 9,1%, n=616; p&lt;0,0001; OR=0,27; 95% CI=0,24-0,3); lethal ischemic stroke (group 1: 1,0%, n=180; group 2: 5,5%, n=371; p&lt;0,0001; OR=0,17; 95% CI=0,14-0,21); non-lethal ischemic stroke (group 1: 0,62%, n=114; group 2: 7,0%, n=472; p&lt;0,0001; OR=0,08; 95% CI=0,06-0,1); ICA restenosis &gt;60%, requiring re-revascularization (group 1: 1,6%, n=296; group 2: 12,6%, n=851; p&lt;0,0001; OR=0,11; 95% CI=0,09-0,12). Thus, the composite endpoint (lethal ischemic stroke + non-lethal ischemic stroke + MI) after conventional CE with patch angioplasty was more than 6 times higher than this parameter of eversion CE: group 1: 2,2%, n=397; group 2: 13,2%, n=888; p&lt;0,0001; OR=0,14; 95% CI=0,12-1,16.Conclusion. Conventional CE with patch angioplasty is not prefer for cerebral revascularization in the presence of hemodynamically significant ICA stenosis due to the high prevalence of deaths, stroke, and ICA restenosis in the long-term follow-up.

The Use of Multiple Carotid Stents is Associated With Increased Incidence of Developing In-stent Stenosis on Long-term Follow-up

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as a feasible and safe option for patients that carry a high anatomic and/or physiologic surgical risk for conventional carotid endarterectomy. The pathophysiology behind the development of in-stent stenosis remains a complex process with multiple factors contributing to it. We sought to identify factors that contribute to developing in-stent stenosis following carotid stenting utilizing the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) of the Vascular Study Group of New England.

Early outcomes of routine delayed shunting in carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic patients.

The role of shunting during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in symptomatic patients is unclear. The aim was to evaluate early outcomes of CEA with routine "delayed" shunt insertion, for patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of symptomatic patients undergoing CEA (2009-2020). All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia using a standardized technique, based on delayed routine shunt insertion after plaque removal. Primary endpoints were 30-days mortality and stroke. A logistic regression was performed to identify clinical and procedural factors associated with postoperative stroke. Two-hundred-sixty-three CEAs were performed for TIA (N.=178, 47%) or acute ischemic stroke (N.=85, 32%). Mean delay of surgery was 6±19 days, and early CEA (<48 hours) was performed in 98 cases (37%). Conventional CEA was performed in 171 patients (67%), eversion CEA in 83 (33%). Early (30-days) mortality was 0.3%. Stroke/death rate was 2.3%. Female sex (OR=5.14, 95% CI: 1.32-24.93; P=0.023), use of anticoagulants (OR=10.57, 95% CI: 2.67-51.86; P=0.001), preoperative stroke (OR=5.34, 95% CI: 1.62-69.21; P=0.006), and the presence of preoperative CT/MRI cerebral ischemic lesions (OR=5.96, 95% CI: 1.52-28.59; P=0.013) were associated with early neurological complications. Statin medication (OR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.71; P=0.019) and CEA timing <2 days (OR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.03-0.55; P=0.005) were protective from postoperative stroke. CEA outcomes were independent from time period (P=0.201) and operator's volume (P=0.768). A literature systematic review identified other four studies describing the CEA outcomes with routine shunting in symptomatic patients, with a large variability in the selection of patients, surgical technique, and description of the results. Routine delayed shunting after plaque removal seems to be a safe and effective technique, that contributed to maintain a low complication rate in neurologically symptomatic patients. Statin use and expedited timing were associated with improved outcomes using this technique.

Conventional Carotid Endarterectomy with Shunt versus Eversion Carotid Endarterectomy without Shunt does the Technique Influence the Outcome in Symptomatic Critical Carotid Stenosis.

Introduction:Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure done to prevent future embolic stroke in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Conventional CEA (c-CEA) and eversion CEA (e-CEA) are two surgical techniques used for the above. As carotid shunt is rarely used in e-CEA, a certain amount of cerebral ischemia occurs in patients who were already having carotid stenosis. In this study, we have evaluated the outcome of two surgical techniques in severe carotid stenosis and impact of carotid shunting on the postoperative outcome.Materials and Methods:In this single-center prospective nonrandomized trial, a total of 62 patients who underwent CEA (c-CEA, n = 31; e-CEA, n = 31) for symptomatic ipsilateral ICA stenosis ≥50% between January 2018 and December 2019 were included.Results:A total of 62 patients who underwent CEA (c-CEA, n = 31; e-CEA, n = 31) for symptomatic ipsilateral ICA stenosis ≥50% were included in the study. There was no major stroke or stroke related death in both the study groups. One patient in e-CEA had carotid occlusion and minor stroke. There was no statistically significant difference in minor stroke (e-CEA [3.2%], c-CEA [3.2%], P = 1), transient ischemic attack (e-CEA [3.2%], c-CEA n = 0, P = 0.3), postoperative MI (e-CEA (3.2%), c-CEA (3.2%), P = 1), hematoma (e-CEA [3.2%], c-CEA n = 0, P = 0.3), and re-exploration (e-CEA [3.2%], c-CEA n = 0, P = 0.3). The incidence of cranial nerve (CN) dysfunction was significantly higher in eversion group as compared to c-CEA (e-CEA n = 6 [19.4%], c-CEA n = 1, [3.2%] P = 0.045).Conclusion:Our study showed that the early outcomes of both c-CEA and e-CEA techniques are comparable. The routine insertion of carotid shunt even though decreases the cerebral ischemic time, it does not offer any additional advantage of decreasing perioperative stroke. The choice of the CEA technique depends on the experience and familiarity of the individual surgeon as both the techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) – first experience

Abstract Objective In transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) the carotid stent used to treat carotid artery stenosis is introduced via a cut-down to the common carotid artery (CCA). Stent placement is performed during flow reversal using an external shunt to the femoral vein. The advantages compared to transfemoral carotid stenting are that the risks of embolization from the aortic arch and origin of the arch vessels are avoided and that clamping of the common carotid artery allows complete flow-reversal during stent placement. TCAR was developed in 2015 and is extensively used predominately in the USA. To our knowledge, TCAR has until now not been used in Switzerland. We present our first experience with TCAR. Methods Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients. Results We treated 4 patients with TCAR from Dec 2019 to May 2020. All patients were male, median age was 66y. All had high-grade internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (3 asymptomatic, 1 symptomatic). All procedures were performed in a hybrid operation room. Technical success was achieved in 3 patients. In these patients there was no peri-interventional stroke or TIA and duplex sonography 6 months postoperatively showed a patent stent without restenosis. In the fourth patient previous attempted transfemoral stenting for symptomatic ICA-stenosis had failed because of a very tortuous CCA. During TCAR, puncture of the CCA was difficult because of atherosclerotic thickening of the vessel wall, furthermore the tip of the guidewire for insertion of the dedicated sheath into the CCA needed to be placed in the CCA rather than in the external carotid artery (ECA) because of ECA occlusion. This led to inadvertent crossing of the stenosis with the guide wire. The procedure was abolished and converted to a conventional carotid endarterectomy. The patient had a perioperative minor stroke with signs of embolization into branches of the medial cerebral artery. He underwent transfemoral intracranial thrombectomy and eventually recovered with only minor deficits. Conclusion Our first experience with TCAR confirmed that patient selection is important: A combination of atherosclerotic disease of the CCA and occlusion of the ECA, both in themselves only relative contraindications to TCAR, led to technical failure and perioperative stroke. With good patient selection TCAR could be performed safely.