Carotid artery stenting update

Vascular Anatomy and Not Age is Responsible for Increased Risk of Complications in Symptomatic Elderly Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting

BACKGROUND

Various studies have suggested that age ≥80 years is associated with a higher rate of complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The Buffalo Risk Assessment Scale (BRASS) predicts complications in symptomatic patients undergoing CAS. Application of the BRASS has shown the ability to improve patient selection. We used the BRASS system to evaluate whether the higher rate of complications associated with CAS in the elderly is related to vascular anatomy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of CAS was performed at our institution over 7 years. Demographic information, anatomic characteristics, BRASS categorization, and outcome measures were compared between elderly (≥80 years) and younger patients (<80 years).

RESULTS

The study included 447 patients: 335 patients (75%) <80 years and 112 patients (25%) ≥80 years. There were significantly more elderly patients in the high-risk BRASS category (P < 0.01), and more young patients in the low-risk BRASS category (P = 0.04). The complication rates in the 2 groups were similar. Older patients were more likely to harbor complex vascular anatomy: they had significantly higher rates of types II and III aortic arches (P = 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively), higher percentage of tortuous carotid vessels (P < 0.01), and higher rates of hostile anatomy for deployment of distal embolic protection devices (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Complex vascular anatomy, rather than age, is the key factor behind the higher CAS-associated complication rate in the elderly. Complications can be avoided through proper patient selection and stratifying patients based on anatomic characteristics, which can be achieved through the BRASS scoring system.

High-Risk Factors in Symptomatic Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting With Distal Protection

BACKGROUND:

Demographics and vascular anatomy may play an important role in predicting periprocedural complications in symptomatic patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS).

OBJECTIVE:

To predict factors associated with increased risk of complications in symptomatic patients undergoing CAS and to devise a CAS scoring system that predicts such complications in this patient population.

METHODS:

A retrospective study was conducted that included patients who underwent CAS for symptomatic carotid stenosis during a 3-year period. Demographics and anatomic characteristics were subsequently correlated with 30-day outcome measures.

RESULTS:

A total of 221 patients were included in the study. The cumulative rate of periprocedural complications was 7.2%, including stroke (3.2%), myocardial infarction (3.2%), and death (1.4%). Renal disease increased the risk of all complications. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥10 at presentation, difficult femoral access, and diseased calcified aortic arch increased the risk of stroke and all complications. Type III aortic arch correlated with increased risk of stroke. Pseudo-occlusion and concentric calcification of the carotid artery increased the risk of myocardial infarction, death, and all complications. Carotid tortuosity and anatomy hostile to the deployment of distal protection devices increased the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, death, and all complications.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that CAS should be avoided in patients with multiple anatomic risk factors. High presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and renal disease also increase the complication risk. The CAS scoring system devised here is simple, reproducible, and clinically valuable in predicting complications risk in symptomatic patients undergoing CAS.

Racial/Ethnic Variation in Carotid Artery Revascularization Utilization and Outcomes

Background and Purpose—

It is not known whether racial or ethnic disparities observed with other revascularization procedures are also seen with carotid artery stenting (CAS) and endarterectomy (CEA).

Methods—

We compared the utilization and outcomes of CAS and CEA across racial/ethnic groups within the CARE Registry between May 2007 and December 2012.

Results—

Between 2007 and 2012, of the 13 129 patients who underwent CAS, majority were non-Hispanic whites (89.3%), followed by blacks (4.4%), Hispanics (4.3%), and other groups (2.0%). A similar distribution was observed among the 10 953 patients undergoing CEA (non-Hispanic whites, 92.6%; blacks, 3.5%; Hispanics, 2.8%; and other groups, 1.1%). During this time period, a trend toward proportionate increase in CAS utilization was observed in non-Hispanic whites and other groups, whereas the opposite was observed among Hispanics and blacks. This trend persisted even when hospitals performing both CAS and CEA were exclusively analyzed. Adherence to antiplatelet and statin therapy was significantly lower among blacks post CEA. In-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events remained comparable across groups post CAS and CEA. At 30 days, the incidence of stroke (7.2%) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (8.8%) was higher among blacks post CEA ( P <0.05), after risk adjustment.

Conclusion—

During the study period, utilization of CAS and CEA was highest among non-Hispanic whites. There was a trend toward increased CAS utilization over time among non-Hispanic whites and other groups, and a trend toward increased CEA utilization among Hispanics and blacks. In-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events remained comparable between groups, whereas 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were significantly higher in blacks.