Revascularization of carotid stenosis before cardiac surgery

Evaluating the Safety of Transcarotid Artery Revascularization under Local Anesthesia Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding the timing of intervention for patients with critical coronary artery disease (CAD) awaiting coronary artery bypass and severe carotid artery stenosis (CAS). Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a minimally invasive revascularization alternative through direct transcervical carotid access that minimizes the chance of arch manipulation and consequent antegrade embolic stroke rate. While the TCAR procedure can be performed under local anesthesia (monitored anesthesia care [MAC]) versus general anesthesia, the hemodynamic benefits of local anesthesia in patients with severe CAD are significant. Patients receiving staged TCAR-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have high-risk cardiovascular disease and require accurate perioperative neurological and hemodynamic evaluation that can be safely provided with local anesthesia.

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center study, 14 patients were systematically identified to have undergone staged TCAR prior to CABG surgery from December 2018 to October 2021. All patients underwent TCAR with local anesthesia and minimal sedation. Relevant patient demographics, medical and surgical history, preoperative covariates, and type of anesthesia administered were obtained from patients' charts. CAD was confirmed by either carotid duplex imaging or computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the head/neck.

RESULTS

Staged TCAR-CABG interventions were performed on 14 patients (64% male; mean age 65.0 years). No major adverse cardiac events were reported including transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or TCAR-related death in the interval between their TCAR and CABG as well as in a 12-month follow-up period. One patient required to return to the operating room (OR) for evacuation of a neck hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated high success rate of TCAR under local anesthesia prior to CABG (100%) with no incidence of perioperative stroke, MI, or death at 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up intervals. The authors support the use of staged TCAR-CABG with local anesthesia as a safe and promising treatment option for patients with high-grade cardiac disease, high risk of stroke, or multiple comorbidities that preclude a carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

The Unstable Carotid Plaque

Carotid revascularization is performed to prevent cerebrovascular events in patients with symptomatic (>50%) and asymptomatic high degree (>70%) carotid stenosis. As this operation carries significant risks for perioperative stroke, careful selection of patients who will benefit from the procedure is essential. Certain plaque characteristics, including texture, are associated with increased tendency for rupture and can be used to identify high-risk patients. Medical therapy, carotid endarterectomy, and carotid stenting are the mainstays for patient management. With careful selection of patients, all anesthesia techniques (general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, and regional anesthesia) can be used safely for these revascularization procedures.

Coexisting Coronary and Carotid Artery Disease - Which Technique and in Which Order? Case Report and Review of Literature

Coexisting carotid artery stenosis and coronary artery disease is common and there is currently no consensus in treatment guidelines on the timing, sequence and methods of revascularization. We report a case of a patient with symptomatic triple vessel coronary artery disease as well as asymptomatic severe right internal carotid artery stenosis. Our patient underwent myocardial revascularization first, because she presented with unstable angina and was asymptomatic neurologically. This article summarizes current literature about the approach to carotid and coronary artery revascularization and addresses the decision-making process regarding the timing and sequence of revascularization.

Open Heart Surgery Does Not Increase the Incidence of Ipsilateral Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Asymptomatic Severe Carotid Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We evaluated the incidence of perioperative stroke following the institution's 2007 practice change of discontinuing combined carotid endarterectomy and open heart surgery (OHS) for patients with severe carotid stenosis.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we compared 113 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, or both from 2007 to 2011 with data collected from 2001 to 2006 from a similar group of patients. Our aim was to assess whether the practice change led to a greater incidence of stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 7350 consecutive patients undergoing OHS during the specified time period were screened. Of these, 3030 had OHS between 2007 and 2011 but none were combined with carotid artery surgery (new cohort). The remaining 4320 had OHS before 2007 and 44 had combined procedures (old cohort). Of patients undergoing OHS during the 10-year period of observation, 230 had severe (>80%) carotid stenosis. In the old cohort (before 2007), carotid stenosis was associated with perioperative stroke in 2.5% of cases. None of the 113 patients having cardiac procedures after 2007 received combined carotid artery surgery; only 1 of these patients harboring severe carotid stenosis had an ischemic stroke (.9%) during the perioperative period. The difference in stroke incidence between the 2 cohorts was statistically significant (P = .002).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of stroke in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis undergoing OHS was lower after combined surgery was discontinued. Combined carotid and OHS itself seems to be an important risk factor for stroke.

The interval between carotid artery stenting and open heart surgery is related to perioperative complications

OBJECTIVES

To assess 30-day outcomes and the optimal interval between carotid artery stenting (CAS) and open heart surgery (OHS).

BACKGROUND

Whether or not they show symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis, patients with significant carotid stenosis who underwent OHS face a high risk of perioperative stroke. Planning appropriate treatment for carotid stenosis before OHS has become an important clinical issue.

METHODS

From January 2005 to June 2010, 154 inpatients scheduled for CAS and OHS were recruited and followed up for 30 days after OHS. The primary end point was a composite of major stroke or neurological death. The secondary end points included a composite of major stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) or any death, minor stroke, and acute kidney injury (AKI).

RESULTS

The incidence of the primary end point, the composite of major stroke, MI or any death, minor stroke and AKI was 3.2%, 5.8%, 2.6%, and 4.5%, respectively. Only an interval between CAS and OHS of ≤5 days could independently predict the incidence of the primary end point (OR, 14.06, 95% CI, 1.52-130.13; P=0.020). Moreover, congestive heart failure (OR, 7.07, 95% CI, 1.55-21.27; P=0.012) and an interval between CAS and OHS of ≤5 days (OR, 7.05, 95% CI, 1.58-31.40; P=0.010) were identified as independent risk factors for the composite of major stroke, MI, or any death.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that CAS followed by OHS is safe and feasible. More importantly, an interval between CAS and OHS of >5 days may decrease periprocedural complications, especially major stroke and neurological death.