Superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis for internal carotid artery occlusion by subacute in-stent thrombosis after carotid artery stenting

A Case of Acute In-Stent Mobile Plaque after Carotid Artery Stenting Aspirated with a Distal Access Catheter

Objective

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is common procedure for carotid stenosis, but sometimes acute in-stent thrombosis or plaque protrusion after CAS leads to postoperative stroke. There are few reports of aspiration of in-stent plaque protrusion. This paper reports a case of acute in-stent mobile plaque aspirated with a distal access catheter.

Case Presentation

A 74-year-old male underwent CAS for symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis and postoperative course was thought to be good, but in-stent mobile plaque was detected by carotid duplex at postoperative day 6. As mobile plaque is a high risk for stroke, we performed plaque aspiration with a distal access catheter, without neurological deficit or a new cerebral lesion in magnetic resonance imaging. We present a case report, including a literature review, of acute thrombosis or in-stent plaque protrusion.

Conclusion

Aspiration removal may be effective for in-stent mobile plaque, which is expected to be fragile, avoiding the disadvantages of increasing stents.

Acute carotid stent thrombosis: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Acute carotid stent thrombosis (ACST) is a rare but devastating complication in the carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure. The aim of this article is to report a case and review cases of ACST reported in the literature, and investigate risk factors and management strategies for ACST.

CASE SUMMARY

We reviewed the treatment process of a patient with ACST after CAS. Then multiple databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting ACST from 2005 to 2020. The demographic data, risk factors, treatment strategies, and prognosis were extracted and analyzed.

CONCLUSION

The reason for ACST is multifactorial. Proper patient selection, normative anti-platelet treatment, and perfect technical detail may decrease the incidence of ACST. Several treatment strategies such as thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and open surgery may be options for the treatment of ACST. Limited data have shown that carotid endarterectomy is effective with favorable results.

Revascularization of acute stent thrombosis after carotid artery stenting in a CYP2C19*2 heterozygote patient

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative strategy to carotid endarterectomy for the prevention of ischemic stroke. Acute carotid stent thrombosis (ACST) is an extremely rare but devastating complication of CAS. Although cases of successful recanalization have been reported, there is still a lack of experience regarding the choice of ACST treatment methods and the timing of such treatments, especially when patients are confirmed CYP2C19*2 heterozygotes. Here, we report a case of successful revascularization after ACST in a patient with CYP2C19*2 heterozygosity. We also review the literature and discuss appropriate treatment strategies for this devastating and rare event.

Endovascular Treatment of Acute Carotid Stent Occlusion: Aspiration Thrombectomy and Angioplasty

Introduction

Acute carotid stent occlusion (CSO) is a rare complication of endovascular carotid stent placement that requires emergent intervention. We describe angioplasty or combined angioplasty and aspiration thrombectomy as a new endovascular technique for CSO treatment. The technique is compared to others previously described in the literature.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent endovascular treatment (ET) of acute symptomatic CSO from January 2008 to March 2018 at our neurovascular referral center. Patient demographics, endovascular treatment details, and outcome data were determined from the electronic medical record. Primary outcome was successful stent recanalization and cerebral reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score IIB-III). Secondary outcomes were National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) shift from presentation to discharge, mortality, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Additionally, a literature review (years 2008-2019) was performed to characterize other techniques for ET of CSO.

Results

Four patients who underwent ET of acute CSO were identified. ET treatment by angioplasty (n = 1) or combined aspiration thrombectomy and angioplasty (n = 3) resulted in carotid stent recanalization in all patients. Tandem intracranial occlusions were present in three patients (75%), and successful cerebral reperfusion was achieved in all patients. Patient symptoms improved (mean NIHSS shift -5.3 ± 7.2 at discharge). One patient died of a symptomatic reperfusion hemorrhage and another died of cardiac complications by 3-month follow-up. The mRS scores of the surviving patients were 1 and 3. Previously described studies (n = 14) using different and varied techniques had moderate recanalization rates and outcomes.

Conclusion

Combined aspiration thrombectomy and angioplasty for the neurointerventional treatment of acute CSO leads to high rates of stent recanalization and cerebral reperfusion. The recanalization rate here is improved compared to previously reported techniques. Further multicenter studies are required to risk-stratify patients for specific ET interventions.

Acute Early Carotid Stent Thrombosis: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Acute early carotid stent thrombosis (AcuteCST) is a rare complication after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the incidence, causes, and optimal management of AcuteCST.

METHODS

Medical records of all patients undergoing CAS between 2008 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The time of thrombosis, grade of stenosis, lesion side, preprocedural and postprocedural anticoagulants, causes, symptoms, treatment, recanalization, and outcome were reviewed.

RESULTS

Overall, 674 patients were treated with CAS. Four cases of AcuteCST were identified (0.59%). In the first patient, the stent thrombosis was attributed to dissection caused by filter deployment within a distal internal carotid artery with 360° coiling. Notably, in 3 of the 4 cases of thrombosis a second overlapping stent had been deployed. In total, 41 patients of the cohort under investigation underwent overlapping stent deployment. The use of a second overlapping stent as a bail-out procedure due to dissection or malposition or due to long lesions was correlated with increased rate of thrombosis (3/41 [7.3%] vs. 1/633 [0.002%]). In 2 patients, carotid stents were thrombosed within 2 hr of the procedure. Endovascular thrombus aspiration and subsequent eversion carotid endarterectomy with stent explantation in the first patient and intrathrombus urokinase administration with thromboaspiration and additional stent placement in the second patient were followed. In the other 2 patients having their carotid stents thrombosed 3 and 4 days after the procedure, treatment with low weight molecular heparin and antiplatelet regimens was followed.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of overlapping stents in the carotid artery is a predisposing factor for AcuteCST. Prognostic factors of this potentially devastating complication are the initial clinical presentation expressing the grade of ischemic brain damage, the accurate and timely recognition of the thrombosis, and the prompt restoration of oxygenated blood flow into the viable tissue at risk of infarction.

Acute Carotid Stent Thrombosis

Acute carotid stent thrombosis (ACST) is a rare complication that can lead to dramatic and catastrophic consequences. A rapid diagnosis and prompt recanalization of the internal carotid artery are needed to minimize the ischemic insult and the reperfusion injury. We reviewed the current literature on this devastating complication of CAS with the intention of investigating the potential causative factors and to define the appropriate management. According to our study discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy, resistance to antiplatelet agents and inherent or acquired thrombotic disorders are the main causes of thrombosis. Technical intraprocedural parameters such as dissection, atheroma prolapse, kinking of the distal part of internal carotid artery and embolic protection device occlusion can also result in early carotid stent thrombosis. Rapid reperfusion ensures an improved neurological outcome and a better prognosis in the short and long term. Thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy or thromboaspiration in combination with drug or thrombolytic therapy, surgical therapy and re-angioplasty are treatment options that have been used with encouraging results. In conclusion, optimal perioperative antiplatelet treatment as well as technical considerations regarding the carotid artery stenting plays a determinant role.