Efficacy of Different Types of Self-expandable Stents in Carotid Artery Stenting for Carotid Bifurcation Stenosis

Both open and closed loop self-expandable stents were used in carotid artery stenting（CAS） for carotid bifurcation stenosis. We sought to compare the efficacy of two types of stents in CAS. The data of 212 patients treated with CAS（42 and 170 cases implanted with closed and open loop stents, respectively） for carotid bifurcation stenosis and distal filtration protection devices were retrospectively analyzed. Between closed and open loop stents, there were no significant differences in hospitalization duration, NIHSS score before and after the treatment, stenosis at 12 th month, and cumulative incidence of primary endpoint events within 30 days or from the 31 st day to the 12 th month; while there were significant differences in hemodynamic changes and rate of difficulty in recycling distal filtration protection devices. Use of open vs. closed loop stents for carotid bifurcation stenosis seems to be associated with similar incidence of complications, except for greater rate of hemodynamic changes and lower rate of difficulty in recycling the distal filtration protection devices.

Preliminary results of combined carotid endarterectomy and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases

Background Coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases are common and patients with them remain at a high risk for perioperative stroke or myocardial infarction after coronary bypass surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined carotid endarterectomy （CEA） and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） in patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases. Methods Between January 2002 and December 2007, consecutive patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases underwent one-stage unilateral CEA and off-pump CABG in Heart Institute of Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. Perioperative complications were assessed and follow-up was carried out. Results A total of 51 cases of isolated off-pump CABG and unilateral CEA, including 34 right and 17 left, were performed. The mean blocked time of carotid artery in CEA was （25.5_±7.0） minutes. The mean number of distal grafts per patient was 3.30±0.45. The mean ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, and postoperative hospital stay was （11.3±5.4） hours, （2.1±0.9） days, and （12.5±6.1） days respectively. None of the patients had stroke or myocardial infarct. There was one perioperative death due to acute cardiac failure, resulting in an operative mortality of 1.96%. Follow-up was completed for 47 patients （92.16%） with a mean follow-up of （39.5±12.5） months. None of the patients manifested stroke, new angina or newly developed cardiac infarct. No late death occurred. Conclusion Combined CEA and off-pump CABG is a safe and effective procedure in selected patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases.

Association between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Carotid Artery Disease in a Community-Based Chinese Population： A Cross-Sectional Study

Background： Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is one of the most common chronic liver diseases with a high prevalence in the general population. The association between NAFLD and cardiovascular disease has been well addressed in previous studies. However, whether NAFLD is associated with carotid artery disease in a community-based Chinese population remained unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between NAFLD and carotid artery disease. Methods： A total of 2612 participants （1091 men and 1521 women） aged 40 years and older from Jidong of Tangshan city （China） were selected for this study. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. The presence of carotid stenosis or plaque was evaluated by carotid artery ultrasonography. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between NAFLD and carotid artery disease. Results： Participants with NAFLD have a higher prevalence of carotid stenosis （12.9% vs. 4.6%） and carotid plaque （21.9% vs. 15.0%） than those without NAFLD. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, income, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, triglyceride, waist-hip ratio, and high-density lipoprotein, NAFLD is significantly associated with carotid stenosis （odds ratio [OR]： 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.45-2.91）, but the association between NAFLD and carotid plaque is not statistically significant （OR： 1. 10, 95% CI： 0.86-1.40）. Conclusion： A significant association between NAFLD and carotid stenosis is found in a Chinese population.

Carotid artery stenting in patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery disease

Atherosclerotic disease, as a systemic process, affects all arteries to varying degrees. In particular,coexistent carotlid aria coronary artery diseases are common; Management of such patients has been a point of continuing controversy. Current American Heart Association （AHA） guidelines recommend carotid endarterectomy （CEA） in symptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis of 50%-99% and in asymptomatic patients with stenosis of 60%-99%. Carotid artery stenting （CAS） has become a reasonable alternative to CEA, particularly in patients at high risk for CEA. We sought to assess feasibility, safety and midterm outcome of carotid artery stenting in patients with coexisting symptomatic coronary disease and carotid artery stenosis.

Endovascular embolization of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas

Objective To analyze the effectiveness of endovascular embolization on treatment of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (TCCF).Methods From 1986 to 1997, 482 cases of traumatic carotid cavernous fi stula were treated by endovascular embolization in the Beijing Neurosurgical Institute. Se veral kinds of balloon catheter were used for embolization. External carotid c avernous fistulas and rare carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) with minute leakage were treated by cyanoacrylate or coils. Although artery approach was applied in most cases (477 cases), vein approach showed its own advantages in some special cases.Results We found a special “bileakage sign” indicating multileakage o f TCCF, which was never mentioned before. All 482 cases were embolized successfu lly, and 405 cases maintained the patency of internal carotid artery (ICA). No t reatment related deaths occurred and the symptoms and signs of 462 cases were r elieved after embolization. Emergency embolization was needed in some conditions such as serious epistaxis, delayed or repeated subdural hematoma, and rapid vis ual impairment.Conclusion Endovascular embolization of TCCF is a safe and efficient me thod. Carefully selected operation time, operative approach, and materials are t he essential factors to reach a best result.