Carotid stenting done exclusively by vascular surgeons: first 175 cases

Selective-versus-Standard Poststent Dilation for Carotid Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKROUND

The safety and efficacy of standard poststent angioplasty in patients undergoing carotid artery stent placement have not been well-established.

PURPOSE

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stent placement and analyzed outcomes of standard-versus-selective poststent angioplasty.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Web of Science was performed for studies published between January 2000 and January 2015.

STUDY SELECTION

We included studies with >30 patients describing standard or selective poststent angioplasty during carotid artery stent placement.

DATA ANALYSIS

A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following outcomes: periprocedural stroke/TIA, procedure-related neurologic/cardiovascular morbidity/mortality, bradycardia/hypotension, long-term stroke at last follow-up, long-term primary patency, and technical success.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We included 87 studies with 19,684 patients with 20,378 carotid artery stenoses. There was no difference in clinical (P = .49) or angiographic outcomes (P = .93) in carotid artery stent placement treatment with selective or standard poststent balloon angioplasty. Both selective and standard poststent angioplasty groups had a very high technical success of >98% and a low procedure-related mortality of 0.9%. There were no significant differences between both groups in the incidence of restenosis (P = .93) or procedure-related complications (P = .37).

LIMITATIONS

No comparison to a patient group without poststent dilation could be performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in angiographic and clinical outcomes among series that performed standard poststent angioplasty and those that performed poststent angioplasty in only select patients.

High-Risk Anatomic Variables and Plaque Characteristics in Carotid Artery Stenting

Objectives:

To determine anatomic and plaque-related risk factors for patients undergoing carotid artery stenting.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients from a prospectively maintained database undergoing carotid artery stenting at our institution between 2001 and 2010 was performed. Preoperative imaging studies (ie, ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and angiograms) were reviewed for specific anatomic criteria and plaque characteristics. Primary outcomes included 30-day stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Secondary outcomes included 30-day death and myocardial infarction (MI). Statistical significance was assumed for P = .05.

Results:

Imaging was reviewed for 381 carotid arteries in 375 patients. There were 14 (3.7%) perioperative neurologic events, which included 8 TIA and 6 strokes. Thirty-day mortality and MI were 0.5% and 0.75%, respectively. Degree of internal carotid artery stenosis was associated with primary outcomes ( P = .03), and the presence of arch calcification trended toward an increase in primary outcomes ( P = .07). However, arch type, ostial involvement, tandem lesions, and plaque calcification did not correlate with primary outcomes. Differences were noted between the sexes, with females having more common carotid artery tortuosity than males (34% vs 27%, P = .04). Females also had a trend toward more plaque calcification and more severe arch calcification than males. These differences did not translate to differences in perioperative neurologic events.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that degree of internal carotid artery stenosis and aortic arch calcification may be associated with increased perioperative neurologic risk during carotid stenting, but arch type is not.

Carotid artery stenting is safe and associated with comparable outcomes in men and women

OBJECTIVE

Historically, large randomized controlled studies looking at carotid endarterectomy (CEA) have indicated an increased perioperative risk for women when gender subgroup analysis was performed. However, the outcomes of carotid stenting in women as compared to men have not been adequately investigated. We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) when performed in women as compared to men.

METHODS

Procedures, complications, demographics, co-morbidities, and follow-up data from carotid stenting procedures performed in a bi-campus division were entered into a prospective database and then retrospectively supplemented with stored angiographic image data and reviewed. Arterial anatomic characteristics evaluated using angiographic images were: common carotid/internal carotid lesion length ratio, common carotid/internal carotid diameter, index lesion length, common carotid/internal carotid artery tortuosity, and lesion and aortic arch calcification. Outcomes compared included groin complications, postoperative pressor requirements, length of stay, restenosis, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death.

RESULTS

Between 2003 and 2008, 228 patients underwent 238 procedures. Cerebral protection devices and self-expanding stents were placed in all patients. A total of 97 percutaneous interventions performed in 93 women were compared with 141 interventions in 135 men. Mean age in women was 71.8 +/- 9.2 years, in men was 72.2 +/- 9.1 years (P > .99); 44.3% of women and 34.7% of men had symptomatic disease (P = .14). Preoperative demographics and co-morbidities did not differ significantly between genders, with the exception of hypertension (83.0% of males vs 96.7% of females, P = .001), and history of coronary artery bypass grafting (31.8% of males vs 16.1% of females, P = .01). There were no significant differences seen in anatomic arterial characteristics, though there was a trend towards women having larger internal carotid to common carotid diameter ratios (0.65 vs 0.62) and more plaques isolated to the common carotid segment (9.5% vs 6.9%). There were no significant differences seen in overall 30-day peri-procedural stroke rate (2.1% in women and 4.2% in men, P = .48), death rate (0 % vs 0.7%, P > .99), or cardiac events (3.2% vs 0.7%, P = .3). The combined 30-day stroke, death, and MI rate was 5.7% for males compared to 5.4% for females (P > .99). There were no differences observed in the long-term survival, stroke-free survival, or restenosis between genders.

CONCLUSION

Despite previous concerns over adverse outcomes in women undergoing carotid endarterectomy, from our data, carotid stenting appears to be a safe modality in women with equivalent outcomes when compared to men.

Design and development of mechanical embolic protection devices

Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is rapidly becoming an acceptable alternative to carotid endarterectomy in many patients. Much of the success of CAS is credited to advances in equipment dedicated to this minimally invasive approach. Lower profile delivery systems, tapered stent designs and most importantly, development of mechanical cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs) have contributed to a reduction in periprocedural neurological complications that now rival results of carotid endarterectomy. Despite a lack of level one evidence in support of EPDs, a meta-analysis as well as two recent institutional reports of CAS with and without EPDs suggest a reduced stroke risk when a mechanical protection device is incorporated as part of the procedure. Since the original description by Theron and colleagues, embolic protection systems are markedly improved in ease of use and effectiveness. The three primary groups of EPDs are distal balloon occlusion, distal filtration and proximal occlusion. Although the ideal EPD has yet to materialize, this review provides insight into current design systems and the accompanying strengths and weaknesses of each.

Technical options for the treatment of extracranial carotid aneurysms

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm (ECAA) is an uncommon but serious condition. The morbidity and mortality of ECAA are assumed to be high when untreated. ECAA treatment presents a challenge because of accessibility of the carotid artery and lack of evidence-based guidelines. When exclusion of the aneurysm is considered, surgical resection of the aneurysm with reconstruction of blood flow is still considered the gold standard. Several alternative and endovascular approaches are discussed.

Analysis of Florida and New York state hospital discharges suggests that carotid stenting in symptomatic women is associated with significant increase in mortality and perioperative morbidity compared with carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Although large randomized studies have established the efficacy and safety of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and, recently, carotid artery stenting (CAS), the under-representation of women in these trials leaves the comparison of risks to benefits of performing these procedures on women an open question. To address this issue, we reviewed the hospital outcomes and delineated patient characteristics predicting outcome in women undergoing carotid interventions using New York and Florida statewide hospital discharge databases.

METHODS

We analyzed in-hospital mortality, postoperative stroke, cardiac postoperative complications, and combined postoperative stoke and mortality in 20,613 CEA or CAS hospitalizations for the years 2007 to 2009. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses of variables were performed.

RESULTS

CEA was performed in 16,576 asymptomatic and 1744 symptomatic women and CAS in 1943 asymptomatic and 350 symptomatic women. Compared with CAS, CEA rates, in asymptomatic vs symptomatic, were significantly lower for in-hospital mortality (0.3% vs 0.8% and 0.4% vs 3.4%), stroke (1.5% vs 2.6% and 3.5% vs 9.4%), and combined stroke/mortality (1.7% vs 3.1% and 3.8% vs 10.9%). In cohorts matched by propensity scores, the same trend favoring CEA remained significant in symptomatic women. There was no difference in cardiac complication rates among asymptomatic women, but among symptomatic woman cardiac complications were more frequent after CAS (10.6% vs 6.5%; P = .0077). Among symptomatic women, the presence of renal disease, coronary artery disease, or age ≥80 years increased the risk of CAS over CEA threefold for the composite end point of stroke or death. For asymptomatic women only in those with coronary artery disease or diabetes, there was a statistical difference in the composite mortality/stroke rates favoring CEA (1.9% vs 3.3% and 1.7% vs 3.4%, respectively). After adjusting for relevant clinical and demographic risk factors and hospital annual volume, for CAS vs CEA, the risk of the composite end point of stroke or mortality was 1.7-fold higher in symptomatic and 3.4-fold higher in asymptomatic patients. Medicaid insurance, symptomatic patient, history of cancer, and presence of heart failure on admission were among other strong predictors of composite stroke/mortality outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Databases reflecting real-world practice performance and management of carotid disease in women suggest that CEA compared with CAS has overall better perioperative outcomes in women. Importantly, CAS is associated with significantly higher morbidity in certain clinical settings and this should be taken into account when choosing a revascularization procedure.

Article Commentary: Late Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting: A Critical Review

The role of carotid artery stenting (CAS) as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of extracranial carotid occlusive disease for stroke prevention continues to evolve. Although technical and device refinements aimed at making CAS safer continue to this day, safety as measured by 30-day and 1-year outcomes has been the primary recipient of regulatory and practice attention. Relatively less emphasis has been placed on the incidence of recurrent stenosis after CAS and the efficacy of CAS in late stroke prevention. Data on late outcomes of CAS, including factors of potential influence, have been emerging and are addressed in this review.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting for carotid artery stenosis

BACKGROUND

Endovascular treatment by transluminal balloon angioplasty or stent insertion may be a useful alternative to carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and risks of endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy or medical therapy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register (last searched 14 March 2007) and the following bibliographic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE (1950 to March 2007), EMBASE (1980 to March 2007) and Science Citation Index (1945 to March 2007). We also contacted researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We selected randomised trials of endovascular treatment compared with endarterectomy or medical therapy for carotid artery stenosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

One review author independently applied the inclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Search results were validated by a second review author.

MAIN RESULTS

Data were available from 12 trials (3227 patients) but not all contributed to each analysis. The primary outcome comparison of any stroke or death within 30 days of treatment favoured surgery (odds ratio (OR) 1.39, P = 0.02, not significant (NS) in the random-effects model). The following outcome comparisons favoured endovascular treatment over surgery: cranial neuropathy (OR 0.07, P < 0.01); 30 day neurological complication or death (OR 0.62, P = 0.004, NS in the random-effects model, with significant heterogeneity). The following outcome comparisons showed little difference between endovascular treatment and surgery: 30 day stroke, myocardial infarction or death (OR 1.11, P = 0.57 with significant heterogeneity); stroke during long-term follow up (OR 1.00). Comparison between endovascular treatment with or without protection device showed no significant difference in 30 day stroke or death (OR 0.77, P = 0.42 with significant heterogeneity). Analysis of stroke or death within 30 days of the procedure in asymptomatic carotid stenosis showed no difference (OR 1.06, P = 0.96). In patients not suitable for surgery, there was no significant difference in 30 day stroke or death (OR 0.39, P = 0.09 with significant heterogeneity).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The data are difficult to interpret because the trials are heterogeneous (different patients, endovascular procedures, and duration of follow up) and five trials were stopped early, perhaps leading to an over-estimate of the risks of endovascular treatment. The pattern of effects on different outcomes does not support a change in clinical practice away from recommending carotid endarterectomy as the treatment of choice for suitable carotid artery stenosis.

Technical Limitations of Carotid Filter Embolic Protection Devices

Improved carotid artery stenting (CAS) results are credited to the development of embolic protection devices (EPDs). Reported are outcomes and technical failures of two classes of EPDs: distal balloon occlusion and distal filtration. We present a retrospective review of 206 CAS procedures from April 2001-September 2005. Filters (AccuNet, Angioguard, Filterwire, or Emboshield) were used in 98 cases (48%), distal balloon occlusion (PercuSurge) in 94 (46%), and no protection in 14. Data include demographics and procedural records. Mean age was 70 years (76% men, 24% women). At 30 days, there were no deaths, no myocardial infarctions, two major ipsilateral strokes (1%), two minor posterior strokes (1%), four transient ischemic attacks (2%), and one major access site complication (0.5%). Major neurologic events were equally divided between balloon occlusion and filters. Mean balloon occlusion time was 12 min, with only two patients (2%) manifesting reversible neurologic intolerance during flow arrest. In the last 100 cases, filter devices were preferentially used due to preserved antegrade flow. However, 11 cases (11%) necessitated intraoperative switching to balloon occlusion because of either extreme tortuosity or severe stenosis of the target lesion precluding passage of the filter element. CAS-specific equipment has improved procedural results. Despite theoretic advantages of filter EPDs, up to 10% of lesions are either too narrow or tortuous to allow safe passage of the filter element. Switching to a distal balloon occlusion system, which is well tolerated, may be preferred to unprotected predilation. Practitioners of CAS should be versed in both.

Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting is a Safe and Durable Procedure in a Community Hospital

Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) has been touted as a reasonable alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for high-risk surgical candidates. Several published CAS series, primarily from academic centers, show immediate results approaching those of CEA. However, very little is known about long-term results with CAS, particularly in the community hospital setting. Therefore, we retrospectively reviewed our CAS experience. From February 1999 to July 2003, 44 consecutive patients underwent placement of 46 stents. The mean patient age was 73 years, and 57 per cent were men. Most patients were asymptomatic (74%). High-risk categories included prior CEA (71%), other anatomic risks (13%), and/or significant medical comorbidities (16%). Technical success was achieved in all 46 cases. At 30 days, there were no deaths and one stroke, giving a combined stroke/mortality of 2 per cent. Clinical follow-up was obtained on all 44 patients at a mean follow-up of 42 months. Duplex scans performed on 44 stents (96%), at a mean follow-up of 40 months, demonstrated four 60 per cent to 79 per cent recurrent stenoses. CAS in a community hospital can have a 30-day stroke/mortality equivalent to CEA. The procedure is durable, with no critical (80%–99%) carotid restenoses and no stroke or transient ischemic attacks referable to a stented carotid artery in long-term follow-up.

The division of vascular surgery: 33 years later

The Division of Vascular Surgery of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine is vibrant, growing, and striving for excellence. This article describes examples of the division's clinical practice, research arm, educational program, and administrative component. Each of the examples reflects the leadership of Dr. James S.T. Yao as well as the participation of other members of the division that have contributed to the progressive advancement of care for patients with vascular disease.

Follow-up results of carotid angioplasty with stenting as assessed by duplex ultrasound surveillance

BACKGROUND

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become an alternative modality to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the treatment of carotid occlusive disease. We report a retrospective review of our institution's experience with CAS versus CEA.

METHODS

Postprocedure surveillance duplex, recurrent symptoms, postprocedure strokes, progression of lesions, and rates of re-operation were analyzed in 46 patients who underwent CAS and 48 patients who underwent CEA. The mean length of follow-up evaluation was 13 months. All CAS procedures included neuroprotection devices.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences in progression to critical restenosis (2% vs 2%, P = 1.0), rate of subsequent symptoms or stroke (2% vs 10%, P = .1), or rate of re-interventions were not observed between CAS and CEA groups (2% vs 4%, P = .98). Total mortality (0% vs 2%, P = .33), and the occurrence of major adverse events (2% vs 10%, P = .18) also were not significantly different in the CAS compared with the CEA patients. The average rate of increase in internal carotid velocity at 6 to 12 months (-1% vs 1.1%, P = NS) and 12 to 24 months (-5% vs -6.5%, P = NS) also were equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observed results indicate that CAS may be performed with comparable clinical outcomes and durability of repair comparable with CEA.