[Computer-assisted simulation of haemodynamic parameters of carotid artery bifurcation after carotid endarterectomy]

A Multicentric Study of Different Methods of Open Surgical Cerebral Revascularization for Internal Carotid Artery Orifice Stenosis

To analyze the long-term results of transposition of the internal carotid artery (ICA) into the lateral wall of the external carotid artery (ECA) in the presence of hemodynamically significant stenosis of the ICA. During the period from 3.10.2017 to 28.12.2020, 784 patients with isolated hemodynamically significant ICA orifice stenosis were included in the present retrospective multicentric open comparative study "Russian Birch." Depending on the implemented surgical technique, groups were formed: group 1 (n = 517) - eversion carotid endarterectomy (eCEA); group 2 (n = 193) classic CEA with implantation of a xenopericardium patch treated with di-epoxy compounds; group 3 (n = 74) - transposition of the ICA into the lateral wall of the ECA. Transposition of the ICA into the lateral wall of the ECA is performed as follows. The common carotid artery, ECA, and ICA are isolated and then they are clamped with vascular clamps. At the same time, the ICA and ECA are clamped 4 cm above the orifice. The ICA is cut 2.5 cm above the orifice. Then the section of the ICA with local stenosis in the orifice is sutured with a polypropylene suture. At the same time, the redundant nonfunctioning ICA stump is not resected due to the fact that there are receptors of the carotid sinus at the ICA orifice. Thus, such manipulation may damage the sinus, causing arterial hypertension that is difficult to control in the postoperative period. Then, in the lateral wall of the ECA 2.5 cm above the orifice, a 0.5 cm diameter round hole is formed using a scalpel and angled vascular scissors. Then an end-to-side anastomosis between the severed section of the ICA and the rounded opening formed in the lateral wall of the ECA is performed using a polypropylene suture. Vascular clamps are removed and blood flow is started. No complications were detected in the hospital postoperative period. No adverse cardiovascular events were registered in group 3 in the long-term follow-up period. The group of classic CEA with implantation of a xenopericardium patch treated with di-epoxy compounds showed the highest number of fatal outcomes from acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (Group 1: 0.2%, n = 1; group 2: 2.6%; n = 5; p = 0.008); nonfatal ischemic CVA (group 1: 0.6%, n = 3; group 2: 14.0%, n = 27; p < 0.0001); ICA restenosis (more than 60%) requiring a repeat revascularization (group 1: 0.8%, n = 4; group 2: 16.6%, n = 32; p < 0.0001). The cause of all CVAs after classical CEA was restenosis of the ICA due to neointimal hyperplasia; after eversion CEA and progression of atherosclerosis. The composite end point was statistically more frequent after classical CEE with plasty of the reconstruction area with a diepoxy-treated xenopericardium patch (group 1: 1.0%, n = 5; group 2: 17.7%, n = 33; p < 0.0001). When analyzing the survival curves free of ICA restenosis, it was determined that the overwhelming number of all ICA restenosis requiring revascularization in the group of classical CEA with implantation of a diepoxy-treated xenopericardium patch is diagnosed as early as 6 months after surgery. In the group of eversion CEA, the loss of the vessel lumen is most often visualized more than a year after the intervention. When comparing the survival curves (Logrank test), it was determined that restenosis of the ICA develops statistically more frequently (p < 0.0001) after classical CEA with implantation of a diepoxytreated xenopericardium patch. Transposition of the ICA into the lateral wall of the ECA is not accompanied by the risk of ICA restenosis due to the absence of inflammation of the internal artery wall after endarterectomy. Thus, this technique can be an alternative to CEA and be routinely used in case of local hemodynamically significant stenosis of the ICA orifice. Classical CEA with patch implantation is the least preferable operation due to the high risk of ICA restenosis in the mid-term and long-term follow-up.

Long-term outcomes of eversion and conventional carotid endarterectomy: A multicenter clinical trial

AIM

To compare the long-term results of eversion (ECEA) and conventional carotid endarterectomy (CCEA).

METHODS

We designed a retrospective, multicenter study which included 25,106 patients who underwent ECEA (n = 18,362) or CCEA (n = 6744). The duration of follow-up was 124.7 ± 53.8 months.

RESULTS

In the postoperative period, none of the interventions showed clear benefits reducing the frequency of complications: fatal outcome (ECEA: 0.19%, n = 36; CCEA: 0.17%, n = 12; OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.57-2.11, p = 0.89), myocardial infarction (ECEA: 0.15%, n = 28; CCEA: 0.13%, n = 9; p = 0.87; OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.53-2.42); acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (Group I: 0.33%, n = 62; Group II: 0.4%, n = 27; p = 0.53; OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0, 53-1.32); bleeding with acute haematoma appearance in the area of intervention (Group I: 0.39%, n = 73; Group II: 0.41%, n = 28; p = 0.93; OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0, 61-1.48); internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis (Group I: 0.05%, n = 11; Group II: 0.07%, n = 5; OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.28-2.32, p = 0.90). During the long-term follow-up, ECEA was associated with lower frequency of fatal outcome (ECEA: 2.7%, n = 492; CCEA: 9.1%, n = 616; OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.24-0.3, p < 0.0001), cerebrovascular death (ECEA: 1.0%, n = 180; CCEA: 5.5%, n = 371; OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.14-0.21, p < 0.0001), non-fatal ischaemic stroke (ECEA: 0.62%, n = 114; CCEA: 7.0%, n = 472; OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.06-0.1, p < 0.0001); repeated revascularization because of >60% restenosis (ECEA: 1.6%, n = 296; CCEA: 12.6%, n = 851; OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.09-0.12, p < 0.0001), and combined endpoint (ECEA: 2.2%, n = 397; CCEA: 13.2%, n = 888; OR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.12-1.16, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

ECEA is beneficial over CCEA in a long term.

Update in Carotid Disease

This review of the literature analyzes publications over the past five years on various problems associated with carotid endarterectomy: 1. Is the eversion or classical technique of surgery with plastic repair of the reconstruction area with a patch more effective? 2. Carotid endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty with stenting is more optimal? 3. When should brain revascularization be performed after the development of ischemic stroke? 4. Should a temporary shunt be used to protect the brain during carotid endarterectomy? 5. How to prevent and treat different types of intraoperative ischemic strokes? 6. What tactics of treatment of patients with combined lesions of the carotid and coronary arteries is more effective? 7. What are the causes and methods of elimination of restenosis of the internal carotid artery known? 8. Is carotid endarterectomy safe in old age?

Results of different kinds of carotid endarterectomy in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the important markers for the development of adverse cardiovascular events after carotid endarterectomy (CEE). However, studies on this issue are based on small sample of patients and do not take into account the type of surgery as an additional factor of potentially negative impact on the course of the postoperative period.AIM: Analysis of hospital and long-term results of eversion and classical CEE with plastic surgery of the reconstruction zone with a biological patch in patients with type 2 diabetes and without it.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study from January 2010 to December 2020. included 5731 patients. Depending on the presence / absence of type 2 diabetes and the type of implemented CEE, 4 groups were formed: group 1 — 12.2% (n = 702) — patients with type 2 diabetes and eversion CEE; Group 2 — 55.0% (n = 3153) patients without type 2 diabetes and eversion CEE; Group 3 — 8.5% (n = 484) patients with type 2 diabetes and classical CEE; Group 4 — 24.3% (n = 1392) patients without type 2 diabetes and classical CEE. The duration of postoperative follow-up was 78.6 ± 39.2 months.RESULTS: At the long-term follow-up stage, patients with type 2 diabetes after the classical surgical technique demonstrated the highest rates of all types of complications: death (p <0.0001), MI (p = 0.011), ischemic stroke (p <0.0001), restenosis / occlusion of the ICA (p <0.0001), combined end point (p <0.0001). At the same time, the group of eversion CEE with impaired carbohydrate metabolism took the second position in terms of the prevalence of adverse events. These circumstances demonstrate that patch implantation is accompanied by an increased risk of developing not only myocardial infarction, but also restenosis of the reconstruction zone, as well as the associated ischemic stroke, which was demonstrated by our results.CONCLUSION: Patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of CEE are at increased risk of ischemic stroke at the hospital stage of observation and all unfavorable cardiovascular conditions (death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, restenosis or ICA occlusion in the reconstruction zone) in the long-term postoperative period.

[Extended lesion of the internal carotid artery: carotid autotransplantation, creation of a neobifurcation or prosthetic repair?]

AIM

The aim of our investigation was to analyse the results of autotransplantation, creation of a neobifurcation or prosthetic repair of the internal carotid artery during the in-hospital and long-term follow-up periods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included a total of 241 patients presenting with and treated for extended atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery from 2016 to 2019. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the surgical modality employed: group 1 - autotransplantation of the internal carotid artery (27.8%, n=67), group 2 - creation of a neobifurcation (55.2%, n=133), and group 3 - prosthetic repair of the internal carotid artery (17.0%, n=41). The duration of the postoperative follow-up period amounted to 24.8±11.9 months. The outcome measures selected were as follows: all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, haemodynamically significant restenosis, and a composite endpoint (death + myocardial infarction + ischaemic stroke + haemodynamically significant restenosis).

RESULTS

During the in-hospital postoperative period we registered 1 (2.4%) ischaemic stroke in the group of prosthetic repair, with no significant inter-group difference revealed (p=0.08). In the remote period of follow-up, no statistical differences were revealed for the following outcome measures: all-cause mortality (group 1: 7.5%, n=5; group 2: 10.5%, n=14; group 3: 14.6%, n=6; p=0.49); cardiovascular-related death (group 1: 4.5%, n=3; group 2: 6.7%, n=9; group 3: 12.2%, n=5; p=0.31); myocardial infarction (group 1: 1.5%, n=1; group 2: 3%, n=4; group 3: 4.9%, n=2; p=0.59). However, the patients in the group of prosthetic repair of the internal carotid artery were found to have the highest incidence rates of ischaemic stroke (group 1: 3%, n=2; group 2: 3%, n=4; group 3: 14.6%, n=6; p1-2=0.1; p1-3=0.02; p2-3=0.008), haemodynamically significant restenosis (group 1: 0%, n=0; group 2: 0%, n=0; group 3: 14.6 %, n=6; p1-2>0.99; p1-3=0.000; p2-3=0.000), and higher values of the composite endpoint (group 1: 12 %, n=8; group 2: 16.5%, n=22, group 3: 48.8%, n=20; p1-2>0.99; p1-3=0.000; p2-3=0.000).

CONCLUSION

Prosthetic repair of the internal carotid artery for an extended atherosclerotic lesion is a less preferable method compared with autotransplantation and creation of a neobifurcation, as evidenced by the highest incidence rates of ischaemic stroke, haemodynamically significant restenosis, and higher values of the composite endpoint in the remote period of follow up.

[Redo surgery of carotid arteries in patients with contraindications to carotid angioplasty and stenting]

AIM

The study was aimed at analysing the in-hospital results of carotid re-endarterectomy and plasty of the zone of reconstruction with a biological patch in patients with haemodynamically significant restenosis and contraindications to carotid angioplasty with stenting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During the period from 2008 to 2019, we operated on a total of 22 patients presenting with carotid restenosis and found to have contraindications to carotid angioplasty with stenting (an extended lesion, unstable neointima, calcification, pronounced tortuosity). Carotid re-endarterectomy was performed according to the classical technique. The time period after the first intervention to regression of pathology amounted to 48.5±21.3 months. All patients with clinical manifestations of angina pectoris were at the preoperative stage subjected to coronarography, as a result of which in one case a hybrid intervention was performed in the scope of percutaneous coronary intervention and carotid endarterectomy. The endpoints included death, myocardial infarction, acute impairment of cerebral circulation, and lesions of craniocerebral nerves.

RESULTS

Carotid re-endarterectomy was most often carried out according to the classical technique with plasty of the zone of reconstruction using a xenopericardial patch. Only in 1 case it was required to perform eversion carotid re-endarterectomy due to tortuosity of the internal carotid artery. During the in-hospital postoperative period no lethal outcomes, myocardial infarctions, nor haemorrhagic complications were registered. One patient was found to develop acute impairment of cerebral circulation. The most frequent complication was unilateral laryngeal paresis caused by lesions of craniocerebral nerves (n=3; 13.6%), with reversible neurological deficit. No cases of either thrombosis/restenosis or elevated pressure gradient in the area of implantation of the xenopericardial patch were revealed. The composite endpoint amounted to 18.2% (n=4).

CONCLUSION

The classical carotid re-endarterectomy was not accompanied by cases of thrombosis and restenosis during either the in-hospital or remote period of follow up, however turned out to be associated with a high frequency of the development of complications such as acute impairment of cerebral circulation and lesions of craniocerebral nerves.

Immediate and long-term results of carotid endarterectomy in different periods of ischemic stroke

Aim. Analysis of hospital and long-term results of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in different periods of acute cerebrovascular event (ACVE). Materials and Methods. The given study was retrospective and was conducted using the method of patients sampling. In the period from 2010 to 2019, 1113 patients with ACVE in history who were later conducted CEA, were selected. Depending on the time interval between the last ACVE and CAE, all the patients were divided into 4 groups: the 1st group in the acutest period of ACVE (1-3 days) (n=24; 2.2%); the 2nd group in the acute period of ACVE (up to 28 days) (n=493; 44.3%); the 3rd group in the early rehabilitation period of ACVE (up to 6 months) (n=481; 43.2%); the 4th group in the late rehabilitation period of ACVE (up to 2 years) (n=115; 10.3%). The long-term period was 34.812.5 months. Results. In the hospitalization period of observation the following complications were found: lethal outcome ((group 1 0%; group 2 0.4% (n=2); group 3 0.2% (n=1); group 4 0%; р=0.16)); myocardial infarction ((group 1 0%; group 2 0.4% (n=2); group 3 0%; group 4 0.9% (n=1); р=0.35)); ACVE/transient ischemic attack (TIA), ((group 1 4.2% (n=1); group 2 0.4% (n=2); group 3 0.2% (n=1); group 4 0%; р1-2=0.01; р1-3=0.009; р1-4=0.01)). By the end of hospitalization period the composite endpoint consisting of lethal outcome + myocardial infarction + ACVE/TIA made in group 1 4.2% (n=1), in group 2 1.2% (n=6), in group 3 0.4% (n=2), in group 4 2.6% (n=3), р=0.08. Complications of the long-term follow-up period were: lethal outcome from all causes ((group 1 25% (n=6); group 2 5.5% (n=27); group 3 7.3% (n=35); group 4 14% (n=16); р1-2=0.002; р1-3=0.008; р2-4=0.012)); lethal outcome from cardiovascular causes ((group 1 4.2% (n=1); group 2 3.6% (n=18); group 3 4.8% (n=23); group 4 5.2% (n=6); р=0.79)), myocardial infarction ((group 1 12.5% (n=3); group 2 3.6% (n=18); group 3 5.4% (n=26); group 4 6.1% (n=7); р=0.15)), ACVE/TIA ((group 1 16.6% (n=4); group 2 6.3% (n=31); group 3 6% (n=29); group 4 11.3% (n=13); р=0.05)); composite endpoint including lethal outcome + myocardial infarction + ACVE/TIA ((group 1 54.2% (n=13); group 2 15.4% (n=76); group 3 18.7% (n=90); group 4 31.3% (n=36); р1-2=0.0001; р1-3=0.0001; р1-4=0.005; р2-4=0.0006; р3-4=0.012)). Conclusion. Application of CEA demonstrated effectiveness and safety in the acute and early rehabilitation period of ACVE.