Acute bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion: A novel approach to management of a catastrophic clinical entity

Endovascular Recanalization and Carotid Stenting: The New Approach to Restore Cerebral Perfusion during Aortic Dissection

A type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a dangerous condition requiring emergency surgery. Due to the similarity of the symptoms of cerebral malperfusion in TAAD and the signs of ischemic stroke, a differential diagnosis of these diseases is not always available. Patients with TAAD after cerebral malperfusion can have a neurological deficit. Thrombolysis is performed in this case. It can worsen the patient's condition and increase the risk of mortality and disability. The aim of the study is to evaluate the new approach to restoring cerebral perfusion during aortic dissection. This approach includes endovascular recanalization and carotid stenting.

METHODS

Two clinical cases of TAAD complicated by cerebral malperfusion are described. The first patient is 73 years old and was admitted as planned to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for grade III aortic stenosis. The patient underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on the second day after admission. The second patient is 60 years old and was hospitalized by an ambulance with strong hypertension and ischemia. The surgical correction of aortic dissection was postponed until the neurological status assessment in both patients.

RESULTS

The surgery to correct the aorta dissection was deemed inappropriate. The carotid arteries have been reanalyzed, and cerebral perfusion has been restored in a short time in both patients.

CONCLUSION

Acute bilateral internal carotid occlusion is a potentially fatal TAAD outcome. Emergency endovascular recanalization and carotid stenting may be considered one of the few ways to restore cerebral perfusion.

Single vs. Multiphase Computed Tomography angiography in acute internal carotid artery occlusion: An accuracy and interobserver agreement study

OBJECTIVE

Accurate differentiation between the intracranial and extracranial location of the acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is essential for guiding treatment decisions and mechanical thrombectomy planning. Multiphase Computed Tomography angiography (mCTA) appears to be superior to Single-phase Computed Tomography angiography (sCTA) in the evaluation of acute ICA occlusions. The main objective of our research is to study the accuracy of mCTA compared to sCTA in distinguishing isolated acute intracranial ICA occlusion from extracranial or tandem occlusion.

METHODS

Two observers independently analyzed sCTA and mCTA of patients with acute ICA occlusion at two different time points. The location of the occlusion was categorized as intracranial or extracranial for both imaging techniques and then compared with digital subtraction angiography (gold standard). Sensitivity and specificity rates for isolated intracranial ICA occlusion on sCTA and mCTA were calculated. Kappa statistics were used to assess interobserver agreement.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of sCTA and mCTA was 48.28% (28.36%-68.19%) and 79.31% (62.84%-95.78%) respectively for the diagnosis of isolated intracranial ICA occlusion, with an almost perfect interobserver agreement between both observers (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our research suggests that mCTA is more accurate than sCTA in distinguishing isolated intracranial occlusions from extracranial or tandem occlusions.

Simultaneous mechanical thrombectomy for bilateral acute internal carotid artery occlusion

Acute bilateral internal carotid occlusion was a very rare disease with a very poor prognosis. Clinical case reports according to the literature showed that mechanical thrombectomy was the most optimal treatment. We reported a clinical case of successful treatment with simultaneous thrombectomy in both occluded carotid arteries. A 62-year-old woman was admitted at our hospital within three hours of stroke onset secondary to an acute simultaneously bilateral carotid artery occlusion. On admission, her NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) was 32. Non-contrast computed tomography right after that showed hyperacute infarction lesions in both hemispheres with right inferior temporal and insular cortex (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score - ASPECTS 8) and left putamen (ASPECTS 9). Her medical history included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, prior ischemic stroke, pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome. Her pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale score was 0 that she was fully recovered from previous stroke 4 months ago thanks to successful thrombectomy of the right internal carotid arteries (ICA). This time, the patient underwent again the simultaneous bilateral mechanical thrombectomy of both occluded ICA. The complete recanalization achieved on both sides with recanalization level of TICI-3 (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction) only in 38 mins after the groin puncture. She showed dramatic recovery and was discharged on day 28 with a Rankin Scale score of 2. Mechanical thrombectomy on bilateral ICA performed simultaneously will helps shorten the reperfusion time compared to the alternative one and thus, provides a better prognosis in acute ischemic stroke.