Evaluation of carotid angiography and stenting for patients with contralateral carotid occlusion

Objective To discuss the efficiency and safety of carotid angioplasty stenting (CAS) in patients with contralateral carotid artery occlusion. Methods From January 2010 to January 2010,56 carotid artery stenosis patients with contralateral carotid occlusion were performed CAS and the feature and results of these

Imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for carotid artery occlusion caused by skull base fracture:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Traumatic internal carotid artery(ICA)occlusion is a rare complication of skull base fractures,characterized by high mortality and disability rates,and poor prognosis.Therefore,timely discovery and correct management are crucial for saving the lives of such patients and improving their prognosis.This article retrospectively analyzed the imaging and clinical data of three patients,to explore the imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for carotid artery occlusion,combined with severe skull base fractures.CASE SUMMARY This case included three patients,all male,aged 21,63,and 16 years.They underwent plain film skull computed tomography(CT)examination at the onset of their illnesses,which revealed fractures at the bases of their skulls.Ultimately,these cases were definitively diagnosed through CT angiography(CTA)examinations.The first patient did not receive surgical treatment,only anticoagulation therapy,and recovered smoothly with no residual limb dysfunction(Case 1).The other two patients both developed intracranial hypertension and underwent decompressive craniectomy.One of these patients had high intracranial pressure and significant brain swelling postoperatively,leading the family to choose to take him home(Case 2).The other patient also underwent decompressive craniectomy and recovered well postoperatively with only mild limb motor dysfunction(Case 3).We retrieved literature from PubMed on skull base fractures causing ICA occlusion to determine the imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for this type of disease.CONCLUSION For patients with cranial trauma combined with skull base fractures,it is essential to complete a CTA examination as soon as possible,to screen for blunt cerebrovascular injury.

Recanalization of extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion A 12-year retrospective study

This study aimed to summarize therapy experience of carotid endarterectomy, carotid endarterec- tomy combined with Fogarty catheter embolectomy, and hybrid surgery for the treatment of extrac- ranial internal carotid artery occlusion. The study included 65 patients with extracranial internal ca- rotid artery occlusion who underwent carotid endarterectomy, carotid endarterectomy combined with Fogarty catheter embotectomy, or hybrid surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China between January 2006 and December 2012. Prior to surgery, all patients underwent perfusion CT or xenon CT to evaluate the occlusion. The procedure for each patient was chosen according to digital subtraction angiography data. The carotid artery was successfully recanalized in 46 of 51 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, 9 of 10 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy combined with Fogarty catheter embolectomy, and 3 of 4 patients who underwent hybrid surgery. In patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion, the carotid artery can be recanalized by choosing a treatment procedure based on imaging ex- amination findings.

Bilateral cerebral infarction in diabetic ketoacidosis and bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA)is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM).Very rarely does DKA lead to cerebral edema,and it is even rarer for it to result in cerebral infarction.Bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion(BICAO)is also rare and can cause fatal stroke.Moreover,case reports about acute cerebral infarction throughout both internal carotid arteries with simultaneous BICAO are very scarce.In this study,we present a patient with BICAO,T1DM,hypertension,and hyperlipidemia,who had a catastrophic bilateral cerebral infarction after a DKA episode.We briefly introduce BICAO and the mechanisms by which DKA results in cerebral infarction.CASE SUMMARY A 41-year-old woman presented with ischemic stroke that took place 3 mo prior over the left corona radiata,bilateral frontal lobe,and parietal lobe with right hemiplegia and Broca’s aphasia.She had a history of hypertension for 5 years,hyperlipidemia for 4 years,hyperthyroidism for 3 years,and T1DM for 31 years.The first brain magnetic resonance imaging not only revealed the aforementioned ischemic lesions but also bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion.She was admitted to our ward for rehabilitation due to prior stroke sequalae.DKA took place on hospital day 2.On hospital day 6,she had a new massive infarction over the bilateral anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery territory.After weeks of aggressive treatment,she remained in a coma and on mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure.After discussion with her family,compassionate extubation was performed on hospital day 29 and she died.CONCLUSION DKA can lead to cerebral infarction due to several mechanisms.In people with existing BICAO and several stroke risk factors such as hypertension, T1DM,hyperlipidemia, DKA has the potential to cause more serious ischemic strokes.

EVALUATION OF THE BRAIN TOLERANCE TO CAROTID ARTERY OCCLUSION

Objective: To establish an objective criterion for assessing brain tolerance to carotid artery occlusion. Methods Endovascular trial balloon occlusion of carotid artery (TBO) in combination with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and carotid artery stump pressure (SP) measurement was performed routinely for those patients who might have carotid artery manipulated or permanently occluded. Results Out of the 10 cases, one failed the TBO, though an angiographically adequate collateral circulation was observed. The patient’s SP and relative symmetry (rS) of SPECT imaging were 51mmHg and 86%. The remaining cases showed negative TBOs. After carotid occlusions, their mean velocity of ipsilateral middle cerebral artery decreased (16. 3 ± 6. 9 )%. The mean rS was (98. 0 ± 2. 4)% (92. 7% -101. 3% ). The mean SP was (64. 5 ± 13. 0)mmHg [(72. 3±11. 3)% of baseline, range 32-83mmHg. For one subject, the ICA was occluded spontaneously in the test. A reversal internal carotid artery (ICA ) flow was noted in 3 patients with balloon inflated in the common carotid artery (CCA ). When the CCA was occluded, the system blood pressure and heart rate increased apparently. However, this phenomenon did not occur when the ballon was inflated in the ICA. Conclusion With this TBO technique, clinically silent areas of decreased perfusion might be detected. We suggest it be a routine examination prior to carotid manipulations.

Effect of cold weather on carotid artery stenosis and occlusion:A retrospective observational study

Objective:To investigate the effect of cold weather on carotid artery stenosis and occlusion.Methods:We conducted a retrospective observational study,in which 145 patients with carotid artery stenosis and occlusion were enrolled[115 men and 30 women;the mean age was 61.08 years(95%CI 59.27-62.88)].Patients were divided into the low-temperature group(n=98)(≤12℃)and the non-low temperature group(n=47)(>12℃).Clinical characteristics,blood pressure,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),blood fat,and blood viscositys were compared between the two groups.Correlation between NIHSS and mean daily temperature was analyzed.Results:There was no significant difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups(P>0.05).The NIHSS score was slightly higher in the non-low temperature group compared to that of the low-temperature group(U=2984,P<0.01).Glycemia,cholesterol level,prothrombin time,fibrinogen,and International Normalized Ratio did not show any significant difference(P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed a very low positive and statistically significant correlation between ambient temperature and NIHSS score(r=0.18,P=0.029).Conclusion:Cold weather does not impact blood pressure,blood cholesterol,and coagulation factors of patients with carotid artery stenosis and occlusion.The neurological deficit is more severe in the non-low ambient temperature group.A potential relationship exists between ambient temperature and the level of neurological impairment.

PREDICTION OF THE BRAIN TOLERANCE TO CAROTID ARTERY OCCLUSION USING NONINVASIVE METHODS

R6sumeObjectifEssainoninvasildelatoldranceceribraledl,occlusioncarotidienne.MdthodesAvantetopre8l,occlusioncarotidiennechez15oPdres,lesvitessespic(PV)etmoyenne(mV)ducourantsanguincarotidien,l'indicepulSabilite(PIdesarterescerebralesanterieureetmoyenneontetemesuresparsystemediagnostiqueultrason8DoPPler(TCD,ycomPriseslesevaluationsd,oxygenecerdbralrdgional(rSOz)etdepotentielssomatosensoriels(SSEPal.RdsuItatsNulddlcitneurologiquen,estrencontre.Unereductionde31.79%t13.59%(12.58%~56.16%)demViPsilateraldesarteres...

Transvenous Embolization of Carotid Cavernous Fistula by Sequential Occlusion of the Cavernous Sinus

Objective Introduction When we perform transvenous embolization of carotid cavernous fistula, we selectively occluded the venous outflow to the retrograde cortical venous drainage and retrograde ophthalmic venous drainage as the initial steps before the rest of the cavernous sinus. The rationale is to prevent re-diversion of flow into the ophthalmic veins and cortical veins in a subtotally occluded carotid cavernous fistula.Method From 1997 to 2004, a total of 46 patients with carotid cavernous fistula were treated by transvenous embolization using the proposed selective occlusion strategy. There were 6 direct and 40 dural cartoid cavernous fistulae. The embolic agents were Guglielmi detachable coils and fibered platinum coils. Transvenous embolization routes included inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) alone (32 patients), IPS and intercavernous sinus (9 patients), and superior ophthalmic vein (5 patients).Result The follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 7 years. One patient developed retinal hemorrhage due to ophthalic vein thrombosis one week after the embolization procedure. Two patients had transient ophthalmoplegia and 2 patients had symptomatic recurrence of the carotid cavernous fistula during the follow-up. Clinical cure was achieved in 44 patients (96%).Conclusion The sequential occlusion strategy offers a safe and effective method in the transvenous embolization of carotid cavernous fistula.

Development of a new cerebral ischemia reperfusion model of Mongolian gerbils and standardized evaluation system

Background:The Mongolian gerbil is an excellent laboratory animal for preparing the cerebral ischemia model due to its inherent deficiency in the circle of Willis.However,the low incidence and unpredictability of symptoms are caused by numerous complex variant types of the circle.Additionally,the lack of an evaluation system for the cer-ebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)model of gerbils has shackled the application of this model.Methods:We created a symptom-oriented principle and detailed neurobehavioral scoring criteria.At different time points of reperfusion,we analyzed the alteration in locomotion by rotarod test and grip force score,infarct volume by triphenyltetrazo-lium chloride(TTC)staining,neuron loss using Nissl staining,and histological charac-teristics using hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)straining.Results:With a successful model rate of 56%,32 of the 57 gerbils operated by our method harbored typical features of cerebral I/R injury,and the mortality rate in the male gerbils was significantly higher than that in the female gerbils.The suc-cessfully prepared I/R gerbils demonstrated a significant reduction in motility and grip strength at 1 day after reperfusion;formed obvious infarction;exhibited typi-cal pathological features,such as tissue edema,neuronal atrophy and death,and vacuolated structures;and were partially recovered with the extension of reperfu-sion time.Conclusion:This study developed a new method for the unilateral common carotid artery ligation I/R model of gerbil and established a standardized evaluation system for this model,which could provide a new cerebral I/R model of gerbils with more practical applications.

Metabolite changes in the ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral hemispheres in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Cerebral ischemia not only causes pathological changes in the ischemic areas but also induces a series of secondary changes in more distal brain regions（such as the contralateral cerebral hemisphere）. The impact of supratentorial lesions, which are the most common type of lesion, on the contralateral cerebellum has been studied in patients by positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. In the present study, we investigated metabolite changes in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere after supratentorial unilateral ischemia using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based metabonomics. The permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischemic stroke was established in rats. Rats were randomly divided into the middle cerebral artery occlusion 1-, 3-, 9-and 24-hour groups and the sham group. ~1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to detect metabolites in the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Compared with the sham group, the concentrations of lactate, alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, choline and glycine in the ischemic cerebral hemisphere were increased in the acute stage, while the concentrations of N-acetyl aspartate, creatinine, glutamate and aspartate were decreased. This demonstrates that there is an upregulation of anaerobic glycolysis（shown by the increase in lactate）, a perturbation of choline metabolism（suggested by the increase in choline）, neuronal cell damage（shown by the decrease in N-acetyl aspartate） and neurotransmitter imbalance（evidenced by the increase in γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine and by the decrease in glutamate and aspartate） in the acute stage of cerebral ischemia. In the contralateral hemisphere, the concentrations of lactate, alanine, glycine, choline and aspartate were increased, while the concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate and creatinine were decreased. This suggests that there is a difference in the metabolite changes induced by ischemic injury in the contralateral and ipsilateral cerebral hemispheres. Our findings demonstrate the presence of characteristic changes in metabolites in the contralateral hemisphere and suggest that they are most likely caused by metabolic changes in the ischemic hemisphere.

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.

Dynamic changes of glial fibrillary acidic protein and nestin in the hippocampus of adult rat brain following ischemic vascular dementia

Vascular dementia produced by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries involves progressive deterioration of intellectual and cognitive function in rats, which are closely associated with the hippocampus. This study used immunohistochemical analysis to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and nestin in the hippocampus in a vascular dementia model. The results revealed that both glial fibrillary acidic protein and nestin expression were increased 1 day after permanent ligation of the bilateral common carotid arteries, compared with a sham-operated group. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein peaked at 7 days post-surgery. The expression of nestin was a little weaker than that of glial fibrillary acidic protein, and peaked at 14 days （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of both proteins slightly decreased at 21 and 28 days, accompanied by recovery of cerebral blood flow. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that glial fibrillary acidic protein and nestin exhibited dynamic expression in the rat hippocampus after permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries. This finding suggests that dynamic alterations in protein expression play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.

Resveratrol improves cognition and reduces oxidative stress in rats with vascular dementia

Resveratrol possesses beneficial biological effects, which include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Recently, resveratrol has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson＇s disease, cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer＇s disease. However, its effects on vascular dementia remain unclear. The present study established a rat model of vascular dementia using permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. At 8-12 weeks after model induction, rats were intragastrically administered 25 mg/kg resveratrol daily. Our results found that resveratrol shortened the escape latency and escape distances in the Morris water maze, and pro- longed the time spent percentage and swimming distance percentage in the target quadrant during the probe test, indicating that resveratrol improved learning and memory ability in vascular dementia rats. Further experiments found that resveratrol decreased malonyldialdehyde levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of vascular dementia rats. These results confirmed that the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol on vascular dementia were associated with its anti-oxidant properties.

Mechanisms of electroacupuncture effects on acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury:possible association with upregulation of transforming growth factor beta 1

Electroacupuncture at the head acupoints Baihui（GV20） and Shuigou（GV26） improves recovery of neurological function following ischemic cerebrovascular events,but its mechanism remains incompletely understood.We hypothesized that the action of electroacupuncture at these acupoints is associated with elevated serum levels of transforming growth factor beta 1（TGF-β1）.To test this,we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion.Electroacupuncture was performed at Baihui and Shuigou with a “dispersedense” wave at an alternating frequency of 2 and 150 Hz,and at a constant intensity of 3 m A.Each electroacupuncture session lasted 30 minutes and was performed every 12 hours for 3 days.Neurological severity scores were lower in injured rats after acupuncture than in those not subjected to treatment.Furthermore,serum level of TGF-β1 was greater after electroacupuncture than after no treatment.Our results indicate that electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shuigou increases the serum level of TGF-β1 in rats with acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury,and exerts neuroprotective effects.

Neuroprotective effects of kaempferol against 2VO-induced chronic cerebral ischemia in rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of kaempferol(KAE)on chronic cerebral ischemia in rats.METHODS Chronic cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries(2VO).Then,the rats with chronic cerebral ischemia were randomly divied into three groups:model group,KAE 10 and 30 mg·kg-1group.Another group rats without occlusion of common carotid arteries were used as the sham-operation group.Memory behavior was investigated by Morris water maze test.Prehensile ability was investigated by prehensile traction test.The structure of hippocampus and cortex neurons was observed with Nissel staining.In addition,the SOD activity and MDA content in brain tissue were determined.The DJ-1protein level was determined by Western blotting.RESULTS KAE 10 and 30 mg·kg-1could significantly improve cognitive impairment and prehensile traction ability(P<0.01)induced by chronic cerebral ischemia in rats.The results of the pathological analysis also suggested that KAE could ameliorate the pathological damage induced by chronic cerebral ischemia.In addition,KAE 30 mg·kg-1significantly increased the activity of SOD(P<0.05),but had no effect on the content of MDA in rat brain tissue.Western-blotting confirmed that KAE 10 and30 mg·kg-1could increase the expression of anti-oxidation proteins DJ-1 in hippocampus(P<0.01).CONCLUSION KAE may attenuate the chronic cerebral ischemic injury in rats.

Dissection-related carotid-cavernous fistula(CCF)following surgical revascularization of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion:a new subtype of CCF and proposed management

Background:The development of carotid-cavernous fistulas(CCFs)during surgical recanalization of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion(ICAO)may be secondary to severe ICA dissection rather than a focal tear of the cavernous ICA seen in typical traumatic CCFs.The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between the CCFs and severe ICA dissections and to characterize technical outcomes after treatment with stenting.Methods:Five patients underwent treatment with self-expanding stents due to intraprocedural CCF and ICA dissection following surgical removal of ICAO plaque.The stents were telescopically placed via true channel of the dissection.Safety of the procedure was evaluated with 30-day stroke and death rate.Procedural success was determined by the efficacy of CCF obliteration and ICAO recanalization with angiography.Results:All CCFs were associated with spiral and long segmental dissection from the cervical to cavernous ICA.After stenting,successful dissection reconstruction with TICI 3 was achieved in all patients,with complete(n=4)or partial CCF(n=1)obliteration.No patient had CCF syndrome,stroke,or death during follow-up of 6 to 37 months;but one patient had pulsatile tinnitus,which resolved 1 year later.Angiography at 6 to 24 months demonstrated CCF obliteration in all 5 patients and durable ICA patency in 4 patients.Conclusions:Intraprocedural CCFs with spiral and cervical-to-cavernous ICA dissection during ICAO surgery are dissection-related because of successful obliteration after stenting for dissection reconstruction.Self-expanding stenting through true channel of the dissection,serving as implanting stent-autograft,may be an optimal therapy for the atypical CCF complication from ICAO surgery.

Curcumin alters expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and nestin following chronic cerebral ischemia

Astrocytes can alter their appearance and become reactive following chronic cerebral ischemia. In the present study, a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia was treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg curcumin. Results showed that pathological changes of neuronal injury in hippocampal CA1 area of rats induced by chronic cerebral ischemia were attenuated, as well as upregulated expression of glial fibriliary acidic protein and nestin, in a dose-dependent manner.

The comparison of STA-MCA bypass and BMT for symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion disease:a systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term outcome

Background:Superficial temporal artery(STA)-middle cerebral artery(MCA)bypass surgery is now being widely used in moyamoya disease,and its therapeutic value in SICAO remains divergent.Methods:A systematic search was performed in PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Databases in Feb.2020 and updated in Jun.2019.We have strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of included RCTs.Review Manager 5.3 was used for analysis results in terms of comparing the STA-MCA bypass and BMT.For dichotomous variable outcomes,risk ratios(RRs)and 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs)were calculated for the assessment.Results:The total patient cohort consisted of 2419 patients,of whom 1188(49.1%)patients had been grouped in STA-MCA bypass and 1231(50.9%)patients had been divided into the BMT group.Mean follow-up of included patients was 29 months.The RR of the seven studies was 1.01,and the 95%confidence interval was.89–1.15,with statistical significance,Z=.13,P=.89,sustaining that STA-MCA bypass was not superior to BMT in symptomatic carotid artery occlusion disease.Conclusions:STA-MCA bypass and BMT were associated with similar rates of a composite of long-term stroke.And the risk of long-term overall stroke was mildly higher with BMT.At present,each patient should receive more precise treatment,by reasonably assessing the individual differences of each patient to reduce the recurrence rate of stroke.

Bis(7)-Tacrine Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment Caused by Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Rats

The effects ofbis(7)-tacrine, a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on cognitive impairment and neuronal degeneration induced by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO) were investigated using the Morris water maze in rats. Once daily oral administration ofbis(7)-tacrine (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg?kg?1) was started 14 days after 2VO operation. Over a three-week treatmentbis(7)-tacrine effectively reversed 2VO-induced spatial memory deficits in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, histological observation showedbis(7)-tacrine decreased the neuropathological changes in the 2VO rats brain. These results suggest thatbis(7)-tacrine has therapeutic potential for the treatment of dementia caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Research Progress of Chronic Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion

Chronic internal carotid artery occlusion(CICAO)is a chronic cerebrovascular disease which,from various causes,leads to progressive stenosis of the internal carotid artery lumen and finally to complete occlusion.With an aging society,the detection rate of CICAO is increasing year by year,with the highest incidence of CICAO in elderly men.The main clinical manifestations of CICAO are ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack.Drug therapy is the first choice for asymptomatic CICAO,and surgical treatment is an optional means of improving prognosis for symptomatic CICAO that cannot be controlled by drugs.The selection of indications needs further study.This article reviews the latest research progress in the epidemiology,etiology,clinical features,imaging analysis,and treatment of CICAO in order to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.