Intracerebral hemorrhage as a manifestation of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid revascularization: systematic review and meta-analysis

Brazilian Angiology and Vascular Surgery Society Guidelines for the treatment of extracranial cerebrovascular disease

Extracranial cerebrovascular disease has been the subject of intense research throughout the world, and is of paramount importance for vascular surgeons. This guideline, written by the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SBACV), supersedes the 2015 guideline. Non-atherosclerotic carotid artery diseases were not included in this document. The purpose of this guideline is to bring together the most robust evidence in this area in order to help specialists in the treatment decision-making process. The AGREE II methodology and the European Society of Cardiology system were used for recommendations and levels of evidence. The recommendations were graded from I to III, and levels of evidence were classified as A, B, or C. This guideline is divided into 11 chapters dealing with the various aspects of extracranial cerebrovascular disease: diagnosis, treatments and complications, based on up-to-date knowledge and the recommendations proposed by SBACV.

A case report of the treatment of carotid artery stenosis by staged angioplasty based on intraoperative TCD monitoring

Objective

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is the most severe complication of carotid artery stenting (CAS) or endarterectomy (CEA). Staging treatment can effectively reduce the risk of CHS without increasing the risk of ischemic stroke. The first stage of balloon dilatation is critical for staged treatment. However, the successful criterion of the first stage balloon dilatation is still inconsistent.

Method

In the current study presents a case of a 61-year-old male with bilateral internal carotid subtotal occlusion, transcranial doppler (TCD) was used to measure middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow rate on the narrow side of surgery and the results are promising.

Result

Intraoperative TCD monitoring is expected to be an evaluation criterion for staged angioplasty for carotid artery stenosis.

Conclusion

The approach of blood flow velocity in the brain based on intraoperative measurement of TCD during the treatment of this patient is a new idea for staging treatment in the future.

Identifying Best Practices to Improve Evaluation and Management of In-Hospital Stroke: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

This scientific statement describes a path to optimizing care for patients who experience an in-hospital stroke. Although these patients are in a monitored environment, their evaluation and treatment are often delayed compared with patients presenting to the emergency department, contributing to higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Reducing delays and optimizing treatment for patients with in-hospital stroke could improve outcomes. This scientific statement calls for the development of hospital systems of care and targeted quality improvement for in-hospital stroke. We propose 5 core elements to optimize in-hospital stroke care: 1. Deliver stroke training to all hospital staff, including how to activate in-hospital stroke alerts. 2. Create rapid response teams with dedicated stroke training and immediate access to neurological expertise. 3. Standardize the evaluation of patients with potential in-hospital stroke with physical assessment and imaging. 4. Address barriers to treatment potentially, including interfacility transfer to advanced stroke treatment. 5. Establish an in-hospital stroke quality oversight program delivering data-driven performance feedback and driving targeted quality improvement efforts. Additional research is needed to better understand how to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of in-hospital stroke.

Staged angioplasty: A sensible approach to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid artery stenting? A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether staged angioplasty (SAP) is a safe and effective treatment to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed according to established criteria to identify eligible articles published before October 2020. Pooled dichotomous data were presented as odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effect models. The efficacy endpoints were hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS), hyperperfusion phenomenon (HPP), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The safety endpoint was post-procedural thromboembolic events. The feasibility of the procedure was assessed by device-related adverse events (vessel dissection and failed angioplasty) in SAP.

RESULTS

Ten studies (1030 participants) were eligible. SAP was superior to regular CAS in preventing HPS (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.14-0.86, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the rate of thromboembolic events between the SAP group and the regular CAS group. The rates of vessel dissection and failed angioplasty with the use of a 3.0-mm-diameter balloon were 5.4% and 0.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

SAP may reduce the incidence of post-CAS HPS without increasing procedure-related complications. A 3.0-mm-diameter balloon used in SAP may be appropriate for Asian populations. However, the confounded study design and confused definitions of reporting items hinder the current recommendation of SAP in clinical use.

Renal Dysfunction is the Strongest Prognostic Factor After Carotid Artery Stenting According to Real-World Data

PURPOSE

Through the progression of devices, the adaptation of carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been expanded according to the non-inferiority of CAS for carotid endarterectomy reported by several randomized control trials. To maintain favorable outcomes, identifying prognostic factors is essential for optimizing treatment indications and periprocedural management. This study focused on the prognostic factors of CAS using real-world data.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter cohort study aimed to identify the prognostic factors after CAS using real-world data from the stroke registry of Yokohama (STrOke Registry of Yokohama; STORY) from January 1, 2018 to May 31, 2021. Patient characteristics, procedural factors, complications, and prognoses were collected using medical records.

RESULTS

Data from 107 patients were enrolled in this study after excluding those with insufficient data (2 cases). The mean participant age was 74.9±8.2 years, and 66 patients (61.7%) were symptomatic. Symptomatic lesions were a significant prognostic factor in the overall analysis (p=0.003). A multivariate analysis showed that the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (odds ratio: 1.11, p=0.003) and staged CAS (odds ratio: 38.9, p=0.04) were independent prognostic factors. The odds ratio and relative risk of mRS deterioration when eGFR was under 49 mL/min/1.73 m² compared with when eGFR was above 49 mL/min/1.73 m² were 5.2 and 3.74, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world multicenter study, we established independent prognostic factors for CAS using high totality data. For patients with symptomatic lesions and low eGFR (≤49 mL/min/1.73 m²), indication for treatment should be considered strictly.

Relevance of Infarct Size, Timing of Surgery, and Peri-operative Management for Non-ischaemic Cerebral Complications After Carotid Endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of post-operative non-ischaemic cerebral complications as a pivotal outcome parameter with respect to size of cerebral infarction, timing of surgery, and peri-operative management in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected single centre CEA registry data. Consecutive patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis were subjected to standard patch endarterectomy. Brain infarct size was measured from the axial slice of pre-operative computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating the largest infarct dimension and was categorised as large (> 4 cm²), small (≤ 4 cm²), or absent. CEA was performed early (within 14 days) or delayed (15 - 180 days) after the ischaemic event. Peri-operative antiplatelet regimen (none, single, dual) and mean arterial blood pressure during surgery and at post-operative stroke unit monitoring were registered. Non-ischaemic post-operative cerebral complications were recorded comprising haemorrhagic stroke and encephalopathy, i.e., prolonged unconsciousness, delirium, epileptic seizure, or headache.

RESULTS

646 symptomatic patients were enrolled of whom 340 (52.6%) underwent early CEA; 367 patients (56.8%) demonstrated brain infarction corresponding to stenosis induced symptoms which was small in 266 (41.2%) and large in 101 (15.6%). Post-operative non-ischaemic cerebral complications occurred in 12 patients (1.9%; 10 encephalopathies, two haemorrhagic strokes) and were independently associated with large infarcts (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.839; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.699 - 27.534) and median intra-operative mean arterial blood pressure in the upper quartile, i.e., above 120 mmHg (adjusted OR 13.318; 95% CI 2.749 - 64.519). Timing of CEA after the ischaemic event, pre-operative antiplatelet regimen, and post-operative blood pressure were not associated with non-ischaemic cerebral complications.

CONCLUSION

Infarct size and unintended high peri-operative blood pressure may increase the risk of non-ischaemic complications at CEA independently of whether performed early or delayed.

Prevalence and Clinical Predictors of Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Carotid Artery Stenting for Symptomatic Severe Carotid Stenosis

OBJECTIVE

Hyperperfusion-induced intracranial hemorrhage (HICH) is the most frequent cause of death following carotid artery stenting (CAS). This study aimed to identify the presence of HICH after CAS and evaluate demographic and clinical variables associated with HICH.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 446 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis treated with CAS between November 2011 and August 2018. Good collateral compensation was defined as patency of the anterior communicating artery with well-developed bilateral A1 segments with or without posterior communicating arteries, according to the classification of Katano et al. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether there was a correlation between demographic and clinical variables and development of HICH.

RESULTS

Stent placement was successful in all patients. Of 446 patients, 14 had HICH (3.14%); 1 of 14 (7.14%) patients displayed 80%-90% stenosis, and 13 patients had stenosis ≥90%. Thirteen patients (92.86%) had poor collateral circulation compensation. Two patients (14.3%) died despite rescue efforts. Age (≥70 years), degree of carotid artery stenosis (≥90%), and poor compensation of collateral circulation were associated with a higher frequency of HICH after CAS. Severe carotid artery stenosis (≥90%) was independently associated with HICH after stenting (odds ratio 13.633, P = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rate of HICH was 3.14%. Patients with severe carotid artery stenosis (≥90%) are at high risk for developing HICH after CAS. Further investigations are needed to better describe the contribution of other risk factors, including poor compensation of collateral circulation (especially anterior circulation).

Recanalization of symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusions by hybrid treatment

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hybrid revascularization by carotid endarterectomy and endovascular intervention in the treatment of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who received hybrid treatment for symptomatic chronic ICAO between December 2016 and December 2018. Fifty-six patients with long-segment ICAO were enrolled and divided into the short duration (1-3 months) and long ICAO duration (>3 months) groups, and their clinical and angiographic data were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean duration was 106.8 ± 36.1 days from the date of ICAO diagnosis to revascularization. Totally, 10 patients (17.8%, n = 56) in the short duration group while no patients in the long duration group failed recanalization (n = 7). Perioperative complications included intraoperative thromboembolism in 1 (1.8%) patient and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2 (3.6%) patients. Early phase postoperative hypertension was noted in 11 (19.6%) patients and cervical hemorrhage in 1 (1.8%) patient. No severe neurological deficits occurred. Overall, the 6-month modified Rankin score, Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores in patients with successful recanalization significantly improved versus the baseline (P < 0.05). After successful recanalization, the long duration group demonstrated more stents for revascularization compared with the short duration group (P < 0.05). Five (10.8%) patients had recurrent transient ischemic attack, and 1 (2.2%) patient developed stroke in the successful revascularization group during 6 months of follow-up. ICA restenosis occurred in 5 (8.9%) patients and re-occlusion was noted in 1 (1.8%) patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid operation may be feasible and effective for patients with symptomatic chronic complete ICAO according to our limited data. The original occlusion site from the carotid bifurcation and the duration of ICAO should be considered as independent indicators for successful recanalization as well as perioperative outcomes.

Perioperative Blood Pressure Control in Carotid Artery Stenosis Patients With Carotid Angioplasty Stenting: A Retrospective Analysis of 173 Cases

Background: Carotid angioplasty stenting (CAS) is a currently widely used surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis. However, the influences of the perioperative blood pressure (BP) on patients' prognosis remain unclear.

Objective: The present study was designed to explore the effects of different perioperative BP control strategies on CAS patients' prognosis.

Methods: One hundred seventy-three consecutive patients admitted between January 2016 and April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. The outcomes of patients with different systolic BP (<120, 120–130, and >130 mmHg) before CAS and within 24 h after CAS were compared. The primary outcomes were the incidence of secondary cerebral infarction (CI) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after CAS. The secondary outcome was the incidence of unfavorable discharge and in-hospital death. The unfavorable discharge was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 3–5 at discharge.

Results: There was no significant difference between the incidences of ICH (P = 0.803) and CI (P = 0.410) in patients with different BP before CAS. The patients with post-CAS BP values of >130 mmHg had a 37.67-fold increased risk (95% CI: 6.79–209.01) of ICH compared with others, while no significant difference was observed on the incidence of CI (P = 0.174) among patients with different post-CAS BP values. The patients with post-CAS BP values of >130 mmHg also had a significantly higher incidence of unfavorable discharge (P = 0.002) and in-hospital death (P = 0.001) compared with others.

Conclusion: High BP (>130 mmHg) within 24 h after CAS significantly increases the risks of secondary cerebral hemorrhage, unfavorable discharge, and in-hospital death. Thus, the BP should be controlled below 130 mmHg in the first 24 h after CAS.

Relevance of Distal Arterial Collapse in Stenting of Atherosclerotic Near-Occlusion of the Carotid Artery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Carotid near-occlusion has been subclassified into near-occlusion with and without collapse. We aimed to compare the technical success and perioperative complication rates of carotid artery stent placement with special attention to these subtypes to see whether there is a clinical relevance of this subclassification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2014 to January 2018, we retrospectively evaluated all patients with atherosclerotic extracranial carotid stenosis treated by carotid artery stent placement. Patients with near-occlusion were identified based on DSA findings. Patient characteristics, the presence of criteria for near-occlusion and collapse, arterial diameters, technical success rate, and perioperative (≤30 days) complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 59 near-occlusions in 58 (46 men, 11 with collapse) patients. Forty-one patients (70.7%) were symptomatic. Technical success rate was 98.3% (58 of 59 procedures). In 1 case of near-occlusion with collapse, we were not able to pass through the stenosis. Compared with patients without collapse (4.2% of 48 cases), those with collapse (30% of 10 stented patients) had significantly higher rates of postintervention hyperperfusion syndrome (P = .032). In the whole cohort, the permanent morbidity and mortality rate was 3.4% (1.7% permanent morbidity and 1.7% mortality). For asymptomatic and symptomatic near-occlusion groups, the rates were 0% and 4.9%, respectively. The composite risk of stroke, death, and myocardial infarction was similar between the groups with and without collapse (P = .682). Rate of hyperperfusion syndrome (with or without permanent deficit) was similar (P = 1) in preoperatively symptomatic patients versus asymptomatic patients (9.8% vs 5.9%). Internal carotid artery diameter consistently increased after carotid artery stent placement in patients with collapse and was not related to the development of hyperperfusion syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Care should be taken to minimize hyperperfusion risk in patients with near-occlusion undergoing CAS, especially in the subgroup of patients with collapse and in patients with both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of results of simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting

BACKGROUND

Although staged procedures to treat bilateral carotid artery stenosis are mainstream, a growing number of articles on simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting (SBCAS) have been published. Thus, this meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBCAS.

METHODS

The PubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify all studies reporting SBCAS from January 1, 2000, to October 1, 2017. Patients' characteristics, comorbidities, technical success, deaths, and complications were collected and analyzed. Forest plots were drawn with either a random-effects model or fixed-effects model according to their heterogeneities. Publication biases were tested by funnel plots and linear regression test.

RESULTS

Overall, 333 patients with bilateral carotid stenosis in 10 retrospective studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The mean age was 67.4 years; 75% of the patients were male, and 85.6% of them were symptomatic. The mean severity of stenosis was 82.1%. The overall technical success rate reached 99.38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.58%-100.00%). The pooled incidences of periprocedural complications were as follows: hemodynamic depression, 46.12% (95% CI, 33.16%-59.35%); hyperperfusion syndrome, 3.33% (95% CI, 1.66%-5.55%); stroke, 3.20% (95% CI, 1.59%-5.36%); myocardial infarction (MI), 0.60% (95% CI, 0.00%-1.43%); and death, 1.20% (95% CI, 0.03%-2.38%). The occurrence of a periprocedural primary end point, defined as a combination of any stroke, MI, and death, affected 4.28% (95% CI, 2.37%-6.71%) of patients. For long-term patency, there were too few follow-up results available to evaluate.

CONCLUSIONS

Except for hyperperfusion syndrome, all other periprocedural complications including hemodynamic depression, stroke, and MI were comparable with the literature reporting unilateral carotid artery stenting. However, the analysis was based on retrospective studies. Further studies, including prospective and randomized controlled studies, are needed to confirm these results.

The protective effect of melatonin on brain ischemia and reperfusion in rats and humans: In vivo assessment and a randomized controlled trial

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the treatment of choice for carotid stenosis. Some patients develop ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury after CEA. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of melatonin on I/R injury in both rats and humans. To this end, 36 male rats were evaluated, and a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) including 60 patients was performed. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was used to mimic cerebral I/R. After 2 hour of occlusion and 24 hour of reperfusion, blood samples and brain tissues were harvested for further assessments. Compared with the vehicle treatment, melatonin decreased the expression of nuclear factor κ light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and S100 calcium-binding protein β (S100β) (P < 0.05) and markedly increased the expression of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < 0.05). The participants in the RCT took 6 mg/d melatonin orally from 3 days before surgery to 3 days after surgery. Blood samples were drawn at the following times: baseline; pre-anesthesia; carotid reconstruction completion; and 6, 24, and 72 hour after CEA. Compared with the oral placebo treatment, melatonin decreased the expression of NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and S100β (P < 0.05) and increased the expression of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, and GPx (P < 0.05) in patients after CEA. Our findings suggested that melatonin could ameliorate brain I/R injury after CEA and that this outcome was essentially due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin.