Emergency revascularization of acute internal carotid artery occlusion: Follow the spike, it guides you

Coexistence of external carotid artery embolus and internal carotid artery occlusion in acute ischemic stroke: An indicator of cardioembolic etiology?

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate whether the presence of an external carotid artery embolism accompanying internal carotid artery occlusion may contribute to identifying the etiology of internal carotid artery occlusion in the early period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The presence of external carotid artery embolism was evaluated in 117 patients who were adjudicated for internal carotid artery occlusion based on digital subtraction angiography images.

RESULTS

Embolus in the external carotid artery was detected in 8 (6.8%) of the 117 patients with internal carotid artery occlusion (7 (87.5%) patients were found to have tandem and 1 (12.5%) patient had carotid T occlusion). In all of these patients, the thrombus was of embolic origin. Evaluation of the etiology revealed cardioembolic etiology in 4 patients and dissection in 1 patient, and the cause could not be determined in the remaining 3 patients. Patients with external carotid artery embolism accompanying an internal carotid artery occlusion had significantly higher The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and significantly lower recanalization success compared to those without external carotid artery embolism (p = 0.009, p = 0.01). In the comparison of prognosis, poorer prognosis was observed in those with external carotid artery embolism, although without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

This study observed that the etiology was mostly embolic in patients with external carotid artery embolism accompanying an internal carotid artery occlusion, most of whom were found to have tandem embolic occlusion, and cardiac origin appeared to be the prominent etiology of stroke.

Endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke due to isolated internal carotid artery occlusion: ETIS registry data analysis

BACKGROUND

The best treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to isolated cervical internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) (i.e., without associated occlusion of the circle of Willis) is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to describe EVT safety and clinical outcome in patients with CICAO.

METHODS

We analyzed data of all consecutive patients, included in the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) Registry between 2013 and 2020, who presented AIS and proven CICAO on angiogram and underwent EVT. We assessed carotid recanalization, procedural complications, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 24 h post-EVT, and 3-month favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS ≤ 2 or equal to the pre-stroke value).

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were included (median age: 70 years; range: 62-82 years). The median NIHSS before EVT was 14 (9-21). Carotid stenting was performed in 23 (51%) patients. Carotid recanalization at procedure end and on control imaging was observed in 37 (82%) and 29 (70%) patients, respectively. At day 1 post-EVT, the NIHSS remained stable or decreased in 25 (60%) patients; 12 (29%) patients had early neurologic deterioration (NIHSS ≥ 4 points). The rate of procedural complications was 36%, including stent thrombosis (n = 7), intracranial embolism (n = 7), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (n = 1). At 3 months, 18 (40%) patients had a favorable outcome, and 10 (22%) were dead.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that EVT in AIS patients with moderate/severe initial deficit due to CICAO led to high rate of recanalization at day 1, and a 40% rate of favorable outcome at 3 months. There was a high rate of procedural complication which is of concern. Randomized controlled trials assessing the superiority of EVT in patients with CICAO and severe deficits are needed.

Management of De Novo Carotid Stenosis and Postintervention Restenosis-Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Carotid Artery Stenting-a Review of Literature

The current literature indicates carotid endarterectomy (CEA) as the preferred treatment for symptomatic, moderate to severe carotid artery stenosis. However, recommendations for the management of acute tandem stenosis and complete occlusion, as well as postintervention restenosis of the carotid artery, remain controversial. Here, we review the literature evaluating these conditions and provide suggestions for clinical decision-making. Acute tandem stenosis or occlusion of the common and internal carotid arteries may be treated with angioplasty alone, reserving carotid artery stenting (CAS) or CEA for severe and complex cases. Patients who underwent CEA and developed ipsilateral restenosis may be subjected to angioplasty followed by CAS, which carries a lower risk of cranial nerve injury and subsequent restenosis of the artery. For post-CAS restenosis, current evidence recommends angioplasty and CAS for the management of moderate stenosis and CEA for severe stenosis of the carotid artery. Given the lack of level 1 evidence for the management of these conditions, the abovementioned recommendations may assist clinical decision-making; however, each case and its unique risks and benefits need to be assessed individually. Future studies evaluating and defining the risks and benefits of specific treatment strategies, such as CEA and CAS, in patients with acute tandem stenosis, occlusion, and postintervention restenosis of the carotid artery need to be conducted.

Endovascular Therapy Strategy for Acute Embolic Tandem Occlusion: The Pass-Thrombectomy-Protective Thrombectomy (Double PT) Technique

OBJECTIVE

Embolic occlusions of the common carotid artery (CCA)/internal carotid artery (ICA) and intracranial artery occlusions in acute ischemic stroke are associated with high morbidity and can benefit from endovascular therapy. However, the optimal endovascular strategy for these conditions is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the pass-thrombectomy-protective thrombectomy (double PT) technique and the clinical outcome of treated patients.

METHODS

We collected data on embolic occlusion of the CCA/ICA and intracranial artery occlusion in our prospective stroke registry database between January 2015 and February 2017. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical outcome was evaluated at 3 months (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score), and an mRS score of 2 or lower was defined as a good clinical outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 7 patients with tandem occlusion were included, with a mean age of 66 years. The median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 20, and 6 of 7 patients (85.7%) underwent successful recanalization. The median reperfusion time of the affected intracranial artery was 61 minutes. The rate of good clinical outcome was 42.9% (3/7), the mortality rate was 14.3% (1/7), and the embolic event rate was 14.3% (1/7) when the proximal clot was retrieved.

CONCLUSIONS

The double PT technique is feasible and safe in treating initial embolic tandem occlusion of the CCA/ICA.

Wire escalation in emergent revascularization procedures of internal carotid artery occlusions: the use of high tip stiffness microguidewires

Objective

We examined the usefulness and safety of high tip stiffness cardiac microguidewires in the endovascular revascularization of selected cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion.

Methods

Files of patients with acute ischemic symptoms due to ICA occlusions managed from August 2010 to August 2016 by urgent endovascular revascularization were retrospectively reviewed with a waiver of informed consent. Cases where there was escalation to stiff tipped cardiovascular microguidewires after at least two failed attempts to cross the carotid occlusion with standard neuro-microguidewires were included. Radiological and interventional data were recorded.

Results

63 patients with acute carotid occlusions underwent emergent endovascular revascularization in the study period; 5/63 patients met the inclusion criteria. In 4/5 patients, there was no angiographic evidence of the remnant origin of the ICA; in 1/5 there was a wide round shaped proximal calcified cap that precluded soft guidewire entry. In all cases, antegrade wiring was achieved only after switching to stiffer guidewires designed for the management of chronic cardiac occlusions. The use of these stiffer tip wires was considered of critical importance in achieving the successful performance of the ICA revascularization procedure. In all patients, revascularization was achieved, and 90 day modified Rankin Scale score ranged from 0 to 2.

Conclusions

When regular neuro-guidewires do not allow antegrade wiring in cases of ICA occlusion, wire escalation to high tip stiffness guidewires may improve success. These wires, designed to deal with chronic total coronary occlusions, can serve as a platform for new neuro-guidewires to be used in the challenging field of resistant supra-aortic occlusions.

Emergent revascularization of acute tandem vertebrobasilar occlusions: Endovascular approaches and technical considerations-Confirming the role of vertebral artery ostium stenosis as a cause of vertebrobasilar stroke

Patients suffering from acute atherothrombotic occlusion of the proximal vertebral artery (VA) and concomitant basilar artery (BA) occlusion present a grim prognosis. We describe our experience in the endovascular recanalization of tandem vertebrobasilar occlusions using endovascular techniques. The BA was accessed through the normal VA (clean-road) or the occluded, thrombotic VA (dirty-road), and stentriever-based thrombectomy was performed using antegrade or reverse revascularization variants. Seven patients underwent successful stentriever-assisted mechanical thrombectomy of the BA and five sustained concomitant VA revascularization. Stroke onset to endovascular intervention initiation (time-to-treatment) ranged from 4.5-13hours (mean 8.6). In two of seven patients, the BA occlusion was approached with a 'clean-road' approach via the contralateral VA; in five of seven patients, a 'dirty-road' approach via the occluded VA was used. Mean time-to-recanalization was 66minutes (range 55-82). There were no perforations, iatrogenic vessel dissections, or other technical complications. Four patients presented mild-to-moderate disability (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-3) at 3months, one remained with moderate-to-severe disability (mRS 4), and two patients died on days 9 and 23 after their strokes. Follow-up ranged from 6-45months (mean 24months). In selected patients with acute VA-BA occlusion, stentriever-based thrombectomy performed through either the patent or the occluded VA, may be feasible, effective, and safe. Clinical outcomes in these patients seem to equipoise the neurological outcome of patients with successful revascularization for isolated BA occlusion. This unique pair of occlusions confirms the role of VA ostium stenosis as a cause of vertebrobasilar stroke.