Female Gender Increases Risk of Stroke and Readmission after CEA and CAS

Sex as a Predictor of Outcomes for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis: A Comparative Analysis between CAS and CEA

PURPOSE

Reporting gender-related outcomes for symptomatic carotid lesion revascularization after both endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedures in an unselected group of patients treated by Italian Vascular Specialists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on patients presenting with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis treated by CAS and by CEA. The primary endpoint was the 30 days any stroke occurrence rate; secondary endpoints were technical success, occurrence of transient ischemic attack (TIA), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and death. Demographic, clinical and procedural data were all noted in order to identify the outcome's determining factor.

RESULTS

A total of 265 patients (193 males and 72 females) were enrolled, and of these 134 (50.5%) underwent CEA and 131 CAS (49.5%). At 30 days, the overall new stroke rate was 3.4% (one fatal), and no TIA, AMI or deaths were observed. Among strokes, seven major and two minor strokes were reported, with six after CEA and three after CAS (p = 0.32; OR: 2; CI95%: 0.48-8.17). The timing of revascularization has been found to be slightly associated with new stroke occurrence: seven out nine strokes were observed in patients treated within 14 days from symptom onset (5.5% vs. 1.4%; p = 0.08, OR: 3.8, CI95%: 0.77-18.56). Lastly, female patients presented a significantly higher risk of post-operative stroke compared to male patients: 6.9% vs. 2.1% (p: 0.05; OR: 3.52; CI95%: 0.91-13.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience seems to suggest that both CEA and CAS provide safe and effective results in treating patients presenting with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Regardless of the type of revascularization, female sex is an independent risk factor for stroke recurrence after treatment.

The influence of gender on 30-day adverse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing carotid surgery

BACKGROUND

We aimed to further evaluate sex differences of perioperative and 30-day complications after carotid surgery in patients with both asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

METHODS

This was a single-center prospective cohort study including 2013 consecutive patients, who were treated surgically due to extracranial carotid artery stenosis and prospectively followed. Patients who underwent carotid artery stenting and who were treated conservatively were excluded. The primary endpoints for this study were hospital stroke/transitory ischemic attack (TIA) and overall survival rates. Secondary outcomes included all other hospital adverse events, 30-day stroke/TIA, and 30-day mortality rates.

RESULTS

Hospital mortality was higher in female patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (3% vs. 0.5%, P=0.018). Bleeding requiring re-intervention occurred more often in female patients with both asymptomatic (1.5% vs. 0.4%, P=0.045) and symptomatic carotid stenosis (2.4% vs. 0.2%, P=0.022). 30-day stroke/TIA and mortality rates were higher in female patients with both asymptomatic (stroke/TIA 4.4% vs. 2.5%, P=0.041; mortality 3.3% vs. 1.6%, P=0.046) and symptomatic carotid stenosis (stroke/TIA 8.3% vs. 4.2%, P=0.040; mortality 4.1% vs. 0.7%, P=0.006). After adjusting for all confounding factors, female gender remained an important predicting factor for 30-day stroke/TIA in asymptomatic (OR=1.4, 95%CI 1.0-4.7, P=0.041) and symptomatic patients (OR=1.7, 95%CI 1.1-5.3, P=0.040), as well as for 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with asymptomatic (OR=1.5, 95%CI 1.1-4.1, P=0.030) and symptomatic carotid artery disease (OR=1.2, 95%CI 1.0-5.2, P=0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender is important predicting factor for stroke/TIA and all-cause mortality, both perioperative and during the first 30 days after carotid surgery.

Sex-Related Differences in Proximal Neck Anatomy and Their Consequences in Patients after EVAR: A Matched Cohort Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Studies comparing male and female patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have shown that female patients are generally older and more often experience postoperative complications after endovascular and open repair. There are also indications that female patients have more extensive neck pathologies and that they more often have postoperative complications related to proximal neck pathology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study describes all consecutive female patients who underwent EVAR between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021. Propensity-score matching was used to obtain a matched control male cohort. Propensity scores were generated with the following anatomic parameters: infrarenal and suprarenal angulation, proximal and distal neck diameter and neck length. 1 Female patient was matched with 3 male patients.

RESULTS

A total of 160 patients were included, namely 120 male patients and 40 female patients. Due to matching, there were no significant differences regarding infrarenal and suprarenal angulation and proximal and distal neck diameter and length. All-cause and aneurysm-related mortality were comparable (p = 0.19 and p = 0.98). The necessity of neck-related secondary procedures was significantly higher in female patients (p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, the female sex was a significant predictor of endoleak type IA within 30 days. However, there was no significant association between intraoperative endoleak type IA and endoleak type IA at the end of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that there was a higher initial incidence of endoleak type IA in female patients, despite thematched preoperative anatomic parameter. Due to the relatively low number of included female patients, conclusions should be drawn carefully.

Sex-Related Outcomes in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting

PURPOSE

Aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of sex in asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2006 to December 2020. A total of 438 consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis >70% underwent transfemoral CAS and were stratified in males (M) and females (F). Periprocedural 30-day outcomes were: stroke, death, and myocardial infarction (MI). Follow-up outcomes were: death and stroke rates (primary) and freedom from restenosis (FFR) and reintervention rates (secondary). Follow-up data were analyzed at 1, 5, and 10 years. Data were analyzed with χ² test and Fisher's exact test and follow-up outcomes with Kaplan-Meier curves. The log-rank test was used to determine differences between the groups and univariate analysis to identify the association between risk factors and intraoperative details with mortality and restenosis rates.

RESULTS

A total of 462 procedures were performed (M: n=321, 69.4%), in which 24 CAS were bilateral (5.5%). Mean age was 71.9±7.6 years (M: 72.1±7.8; F: 71.7±7.3). Periprocedural outcomes were: stroke rate 2.2% (n=10; M: n=5, 1.6%; F: n=5, 3.5%; p=0.176), mortality rate 0.6% (M: n=3, p=0.334), and stroke/death rate 2.8% (n=13; M: n=8, 2.5%; F: n=5, 3.5%; p=0.528); no cardiac events (MI) were recorded. A not-disabling (minor) stroke was detected in 3 males (0.9%), while a disabling (major) stroke was reported in 7 patients (1.7%) of whom 5 were ischemic events (M: n=2, 0.6%; F: n=3, 2.2%) and 2 were cerebral hemorrhages (F: 1.3%, p=0.046). Mean follow-up was 73.66±40.83 months (M: 72.66; F: 76.01; p=0.246). Overall survival rate was 96.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93-98), 81.8% (95% CI: 77-86), and 45.5% (95% CI: 38-53) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively (p=0.236). The overall stroke rate was 0.3% (freedom from stroke [FFS]: 99.7%; 95% CI: 98-100), 0.9% (FFS: 99%; 95% CI: 98-100), and 4.3% (FFS: 95.7%; 95% CI: 89-98; M: n=6; F: n=2; p=0.774). Stroke-related mortality rate was 0.7% (FFS: 99.3%; 95% CI: 97-100) and 2.9% (FFS: 97.1%; 95% CI: 91-99) at 5 and 10 years, respectively, without differences between the groups (M: n=4; F: n=2; p=0.763). Overall FFR rate was 97.4% (95% CI: 95-99), 93.4% (95% CI: 90-96), and 89.5% (95% CI: 84-93; p=0.322). Two severe symptomatic restenosis (>70%, M) required a new endovascular revascularization.

CONCLUSION

The sex variable does not influence outcomes of CAS in asymptomatic patients at short- and long-term follow-up, although females show a worst incidence of periprocedural major strokes. Carotid artery stenting may be safely proposed when a careful patient selection is applied.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The sex variable has been advocated as a considerable factor that could influence the outcomes of transfemoral carotid artery stenting (CAS). Literature data are contrasting, even if different papers mainly reported that CAS is associated to worst outcomes in female patients. Our study shows that the sex-variable does not influence outcomes of CAS in asymptomatic patients at short and long-term follow-up, although females had a worst incidence of periprocedural major strokes. CAS may be safely proposed when a careful patient selection is applied.

Postoperative Disability and One-Year Outcomes for Patients Suffering a Stroke after Carotid Endarterectomy

OBJECTIVES

Although post-carotid endarterectomy (CEA) strokes are rare, they can be devastating. The degree of disability that patients develop after such events and its effects on long-term outcomes are unclear. Our goal was to assess the extent of postoperative disability in patients suffering strokes after CEA and evaluate its association with long-term outcomes.

METHODS

The Vascular Quality Initiative CEA registry (2016-2020) was queried for CEAs performed for asymptomatic or symptomatic indications in patients with preoperative modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0-1. The mRS grades stroke-related disability as 0 (none), 1 (not significant), 2-3 (moderate), 4-5 (severe), and 6 (dead). Patients suffering postoperative strokes with recorded mRS scores were included. Postoperative stroke-related disability based on mRS and its association with long-term outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 149,285 patients undergoing CEA, there were 1,178 patients without preoperative disability who had postoperative strokes and reported mRS scores. Mean age was 71 ± 9.2 years and 59.6% of patients were male. Regarding ipsilateral cortical symptoms within six months preoperatively, 83.5% of patients were asymptomatic, 7.3% had transient ischemic attacks, and 9.2% had strokes. Postoperative stroke-related disability was classified as mRS 0 (11.6%), 1 (19.5%), 2-3 (29.4%), 4-5 (31.5%), and 6 (8%). One-year survival stratified by postoperative stroke-related disability was 91.4% for mRS 0, 95.6% for mRS 1, 92.1% for mRS 2-3, and 81.5% for mRS 4-5 (P<.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that while severe postoperative disability was associated with increased death at one year (HR 2.97, 95% CI 1.5-5.89, P=.002), moderate postoperative disability had no such association (HR .95, 95% CI .45-2, P=.88). One-year freedom from subsequent ipsilateral neurological events or death stratified by postoperative stroke-related disability was 87.8% for mRS 0, 93.3% for mRS 1, 88.5% for mRS 2-3, and 77.9% for mRS 4-5 (P<.001). Severe postoperative disability was independently associated with increased ipsilateral neurological events or death at one year (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.25-4.38, P=.01). However, moderate postoperative disability exhibited no such association (HR .92, 95% CI .46-1.82, P=.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients without preoperative disability who suffered strokes after CEA developed significant disability. Severe stroke-related disability was associated with higher one-year mortality and subsequent neurological events. These data can improve informed consent for CEA and guide prognostication after postoperative strokes.

Females are less likely to receive best medical therapy for stroke prevention before and after carotid revascularization than males

BACKGROUND

Current professional guidelines recommend best medical therapy (BMT) with statin agents and antiplatelet therapy for primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with carotid artery stenosis. We aimed to assess the association of patient sex with preoperative BMT in patients undergoing carotid revascularization.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of Vascular Quality Initiative patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting between January 2003 and February 2022. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association of patient sex with preoperative BMT after adjusting for sociodemographic, comorbidity, and disease severity characteristics. In-hospital outcomes were assessed by sex and preoperative BMT status.

RESULTS

Of 214,008 patients who underwent carotid revascularization, 38.7% (n = 82,855) were female and 61.3% (n = 131,153) were male. Overall, 77.2% (n = 63,922) of females were on preoperative BMT, compared with 80.4% (n = 105,375) of males (P < .001). After adjusting for baseline differences, females had 11% lower odds of being on BMT compared with males (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.91). Postoperatively, females had 18% lower odds of being prescribed BMT than males (adjusted odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.84). In-hospital stroke (1.20% vs 1.51%), death (0.37% vs 0.66%), and stroke/death (1.46% vs 1.98%) were all significantly lower for patients on BMT (all P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant discrepancy in the proportion of females versus males receiving preoperative BMT for stroke prevention before carotid artery revascularization. In-hospital outcomes are worse in patients without BMT, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and implementing targeted interventions to improve preoperative adherence to stroke prevention guidelines.

The measurable impact of a diversity, equity, and inclusion editor on diversifying content, authorship, and peer review participation in the Journal of Vascular Surgery

OBJECTIVE

Women and minorities remain under-represented in academic vascular surgery. This under-representation persists in the editorial peer review process which may contribute to publication bias. In 2020, the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) addressed this by diversifying the editorial board and creating a new Editor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The impact of a DEI editor on modifying the output of JVS has not yet been examined. We sought to determine the measurable impact of a DEI editor on diversifying perspectives represented in the journal, and on contributing to changes in the presence of DEI subject matter across published journal content.

METHODS

The authorship and content of published primary research articles, editorials, and special articles in JVS were examined from November 2019 through July 2022. Publications were examined for the year prior to initiation of the DEI Editor (pre), the year following (post), and from September 2021 to July 2022, accounting for the average 47-week time period from submission to publication in JVS (lag). Presence of DEI topics and women authorship were compared using χ² tests.

RESULTS

During the period examined, the number of editorials, guidelines, and other special articles dedicated to DEI topics in the vascular surgery workforce or patient population increased from 0 in the year prior to 4 (16.7%) in the 11-month lag period. The number of editorials, guidelines, and other special articles with women as first or senior authors nearly doubled (24% pre, 44.4% lag; P = .31). Invited commentaries and discussions were increasingly written by women as the study period progressed (18.7% pre, 25.9% post, 42.6% lag; P = .007). The number of primary research articles dedicated to DEI topics increased (5.6% pre, 3.3% post, 8.1% lag; P = .007). Primary research articles written on DEI topics were more likely to have women first or senior authors than non-DEI specific primary research articles (68.0% of all DEI vs 37.5% of a random sampling of non-DEI primary research articles; P < .001). The proportion of distinguished peer reviewers increased (from 2.8% in 2020 to 21.9% in 2021; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of a DEI editor to JVS significantly impacted the diversification of topics, authorship of editorials, special articles, and invited commentaries, as well as peer review participation. Ongoing efforts are needed to diversify subject matter and perspective in the vascular surgery literature and decrease publication bias.

Differences in Stroke or Systemic Thromboembolism Readmission Risk After Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter

Background

Although atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are different arrhythmias, they are assumed to confer the same risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism (STE) despite a lack of available evidence. In this study, we investigated the difference in the risk of stroke or STE after AF and AFL hospitalizations.

Methodology

The National Readmission Database (NRD) 2018 was used to identify AF and AFL patients using appropriate International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes and were followed until the end of the calendar year to identify stroke or STE readmissions. Survival estimates were calculated, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) and compare the risk of stroke or STE readmissions between AF and AFL groups.

Results

A total of 215,810 AF and 15,292 AFL patients were identified. AFL patients were more likely to be younger (66 vs. 70 years), male (68% vs. 47%), and had higher prevalence of obesity (25% vs. 22%), obstructive sleep apnea (14% vs. 12%), diabetes mellitus (31% vs. 26%), and alcohol use (6.9% vs. 5.5%) (all p < 0.01). After adjusting for potential patient and hospital-level characteristics, there was a statistically significant decrease in one-year stroke or STE readmission risk in AFL patients compared to AF patients (aHR 0.79 (0.66-0.95); p = 0.01).

Conclusions

AFL patients are commonly younger males with a higher burden of medical comorbidity. There is a decrease in the one-year risk of stroke or STE events in AFL patients compared to AF. The predictors of stroke and STE are similar in both AFL and AF groups. Further studies with longer follow-up and anticoagulation data are needed to verify the results.