Cornelis A. F. Tulleken

Symptomatic carotid artery occlusion. A reappraisal of hemodynamic factors.

BACKGROUND Over the last several years evidence has accumulated that in addition to embolism, a compromised cerebral blood flow may play an important role in causing transient ischemic attacks and ischemic stroke in patients with occlusion of the internal carotid artery. This evidence is found in both clinical features and ancillary investigations, particularly measurements of cerebral blood flow. SUMMARY OF REVIEW On the basis of 20 follow-up studies in patients with transient ischemic attacks or minor ischemic stroke associated with an occluded carotid artery, the annual risk of stroke was 5.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0% to 6.0%), and that of ipsilateral stroke (distinguished in 11 of the 20 studies) was 2.1% (95% CI, 1.6% to 2.8%). Patients with a compromised cerebral blood flow as measured by positron emission tomography, single-photon emission CT, transcranial Doppler, or stable xenon CT (six studies) have an even higher annual risk of stroke (all strokes: 12.5%; 95% CI, 8.9% to 17.6%; ipsilateral stroke: 9.5%; 95% CI, 6.4% to 14.0%). CONCLUSIONS Because a compromised cerebral blood flow may be an important causal factor in patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion, medical and surgical options for treatment are reviewed in this light.

Quality of life after treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms by neurosurgical clipping or by embolisation with coils. A prospective, observational study.

Background: Relatively high rates of complications occur after operation for unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Published data on endovascular treatment suggest lower rates of complications. We measured the impact of treatment of unruptured aneurysms by clipping or coiling on functional health, quality of life, and the level of anxiety and depression. Methods: In three centres, we prospectively collected data on patients with an unruptured aneurysm who were treated by clipping or coiling. Treatment assignment was left to the discretion of the treating physicians. Before, 3 and 12 months after treatment, we used standardised questionnaires to assess functional health (Rankin Scale score), quality of life (SF-36, EuroQol), and the level of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results: Nineteen patients were treated by coiling and 32 by clipping. In the surgical group, 4 patients (12%) had a permanent complication; 36 of all 37 aneurysms (97%) were successfully clipped. Three months after operation, quality of life was worse than before operation; 12 months after operation, it had improved but had not completely returned to baseline levels. Scores for depression were higher than in the general population. In the endovascular group, no complications with permanent deficits occurred; 16 of 19 aneurysms (84%) were occluded by more than 90%. One patient died from rupture of the previously coiled aneurysm. In the others, quality of life after 3 months and after 1 year was similar to that before treatment. Conclusions: In the short term, operation of patients with an unruptured aneurysm has a considerable impact on functional health and quality of life. After 1 year, recovery occurs but it is incomplete. Coil embolisation does not affect functional health and quality of life.

Hypomagnesemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVEHypomagnesemia frequently occurs in hospitalized patients, and it is associated with poor outcome. We assessed the frequency and time distribution of hypomagnesemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its relationship to the severity of SAH, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), and outcome after 3 months. METHODSSerum magnesium was measured in 107 consecutive patients admitted within 48 hours after SAH. Hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium <0.70 mmol/L) at admission was related to clinical and initial computed tomographic characteristics by means of the Mann-Whitney U test. Hypomagnesemia at admission and during the DCI onset period (Days 2–12) was related to the occurrence of DCI and hypomagnesemia at admission, and hypomagnesemia that occurred any time during the first 3 weeks after SAH was related to outcome. RESULTSHypomagnesemia at admission was found in 41 patients (38%) and was associated with more cisternal (P = 0.006) and ventricular (P = 0.005) blood, a longer duration of unconsciousness (P = 0.007), and a worse World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale score at admission (P = 0.001). The crude hazard ratio for DCI with hypomagnesemia at admission was 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–5.6), and after multivariate adjustment it was 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 0.7–4.7). The hazard ratio of hypomagnesemia from Days 2 to 12 for patients with DCI was 3.2 (range, 1.1–8.9) after multivariate adjustment. The crude odds ratio for poor outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 1–3) with hypomagnesemia at admission was 2.5 (range, 1.1–5.5). Hypomagnesemia at admission did not contribute to the prediction of outcome in the multivariate model. CONCLUSIONHypomagnesemia is frequently present after SAH and is associated with severity of SAH. Hypomagnesemia occurring between Days 2 and 12 after SAH predicts DCI.

Endovascular coiling versus neurosurgical clipping in patients with a ruptured basilar tip aneurysm

Objectives: To compare endovascular coiling with neurosurgical clipping of ruptured basilar bifurcation aneurysms. Methods: Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural complications, and clinical and anatomical results were compared retrospectively in 44 coiled patients and 44 patients treated by clipping. The odds ratios for poor outcome (Glasgow outcome scale 1, 2, 3) adjusted for age, clinical condition, and aneurysm size were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: In the endovascular group, five patients (11%) had a poor outcome v 13 (30%) in the surgical group; the adjusted odds ratio for poor outcome after coiling v clipping was 0.28 (95% confidence interval, 0.08 to 0.99). Procedural complications were more common in the surgical group. Optimal or suboptimal occlusion of the aneurysm immediately after coiling was achieved in 41 patients (93%). Clipping was successful in 40 patients (91%). Conclusions: The results suggest that embolisation with coils is the preferred treatment for patients with ruptured basilar bifurcation aneurysms.

Excimer Laser–Assisted High-Flow Extracranial/Intracranial Bypass in Patients With Symptomatic Carotid Artery Occlusion at High Risk of Recurrent Cerebral Ischemia Safety and Long-Term Outcome

Background and Purpose— The goal of this study was to determine safety and long-term outcome of the excimer laser–assisted high-flow extracranial/intracranial (EC/IC) bypass in patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion (CAO) at high risk of recurrent stroke. Methods— In a prospectively collected cohort of 103 patients with symptomatic CAO, 15 patients were selected for excimer laser–assisted EC/IC bypass surgery on the basis of predefined selection criteria: (1) transient or moderately disabling symptoms of focal cerebral ischemia, not symptoms of the retina only; (2) continuing symptoms after documentation of the CAO; (3) evidence of a possible hemodynamic origin of symptoms; and (4) informed consent of the patient. Results— Eleven patients underwent the operation without complications One patient had a severely disabling stroke (Rankin grade 4) 11 days after the operation; the bypass was found occluded on reoperation. Two other patients had a moderately disabling stroke (Rankin grade 3) immediately after the operation. One patient died of myocardial infarction 1 day after surgery. Median follow-up time was 27 months. Of the 11 patients who underwent the operation without complications, 1 died 17 months after the operation of a brainstem stroke, and another patient had a new stroke ipsilateral to his CAO 10 months after the operation but without a change in Rankin grade. Conclusions— The excimer laser–assisted high-flow EC/IC bypass operation is a potentially promising procedure in patients with symptomatic CAO and a presumably high risk of recurrent stroke, but the procedure carries a definite risk. This risk is probably related not only to the procedure itself but also to the selection of patients.

Treatment of giant and large internal carotid artery aneurysms with a high-flow replacement bypass using the excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis technique.

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical value of the high-flow replacement bypass using the excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis technique in the treatment of patients with a noncoilable, nonclippable giant or large intracranial aneurysm of the internal carotid artery (ICA). METHODS: We studied 34 patients with a giant intracranial aneurysm of the ICA proximal to its bifurcation who were treated with an extracranial-intercranial high-flow replacement bypass in our hospital between 1999 and 2004. We retrospectively collected data for patient characteristics, operative aspects, complications, and functional health scores using the modified Rankin scale. Long-term data were updated by questionnaire and telephone survey. Mean long-term follow-up period was 3.3 years (range, 0.6–5.6 yr). RESULTS: We were able to construct a patent bypass in 33 out of 34 patients (97%). In six patients (17%), we needed two bypass attempts. In one patient (3%), the bypass was technically impossible. After bypass construction, we occluded the ICA during or after surgery in 32 patients (94%), causing aneurysm thrombosis in all of these patients. A fatal complication occurred in two patients (6%) before we could occlude the ICA. A nonfatal complication occurred in seven patients (21%). In the long term, 25 patients (74%) had a favorable outcome and 27 patients (79%) were independent (modified Rankin scale, <3). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis high-flow replacement bypass, which provides maximum brain protection because of its nonocclusive character, is a reliable and effective method to treat these otherwise untreatable patients.

Cognitive impairment in patients with carotid artery occlusion and ipsilateral transient ischemic attacks.

Abstract.Although transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) by definition do not cause lasting neurological deficits, cognitive impairment has been suggested in patients with carotid artery disease who have suffered from a TIA. The purpose of our study was to assess whether patients with carotid artery disease and TIAs are cognitively impaired, to describe the frequency, nature and severity of this impairment, and to search for associated patient characteristics.Thirty-nine consecutive patients with carotid occlusion and ipsilateral cerebral or retinal TIAs, and 46 healthy controls underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment. Performances were compared group-wise with analysis of variance. In addition, the presence of cognitive impairment in the individual patient was determined. Associations between illness characteristics and cognitive impairment were explored with regression analysis.Fifty-four percent of patients were cognitively impaired. Cognitive deficits were non-specific in nature and mild in severity. Impairment occurred also in patients with isolated retinal symptoms and in those without visible ischemic brain lesions on MRI. Neither the presence of any vascular risk factor, the side of the symptomatic carotid occlusion, the uni- or bilaterality of carotid occlusion, nor the number of cerebral ischemic lesions were predictors of cognitive impairment.We conclude that about half of the patients with carotid artery occlusion and ipsilateral TIAs are cognitively impaired. The presence of cognitive deficits in patients with isolated retinal symptoms and in those without cerebral ischemic lesions on MRI argues against an exclusive role for structural brain damage in the pathogenesis of these deficits.

Treatment of giant middle cerebral artery aneurysms with a flow replacement bypass using the excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis technique.

OBJECTIVE To define the clinical value of the flow replacement bypass using the excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis (ELANA) technique in the treatment of patients with a noncoilable, nonclippable giant intracranial aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). METHODS Between 1999 and 2006, 22 patients with a giant intracranial aneurysm of the MCA were treated in our hospital with an ELANA flow replacement bypass and MCA occlusion. We collected data on patient characteristics, operative aspects, complications, and functional health scores using the modified Rankin Scale. Mean follow-up was 3.6 years (range, 0.2-7.7 yr). RESULTS We were able to construct a patent bypass in 20 (91%) of 22 patients. All 34 ELANA attempts resulted in a patent anastomosis with a strong backflow directly after ELANA catheter retraction. The patients did not need to undergo temporary occlusion in any of the ELANA constructions. Mean +/- standard deviation intracranial-to-intracranial bypass flow was 53 +/- 13 ml/min. MCA aneurysm treatment was attempted in all 20 patients who had a patent bypass and was successful in 19 of them. There was a fatal hemorrhagic complication in one patient (5%), a nonfatal hemorrhagic complication in three patients (14%), and a nonfatal ischemic complication in six patients (27%). At follow-up, 17 patients (77%) had a functionally favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score at follow-up was the same as or less than the preoperative modified Rankin Scale score). All of these patients were independent at follow-up (modified Rankin Scale score < or =2). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates satisfactory results in the treatment of giant MCA aneurysms with an ELANA flow replacement bypass, considering the very grave natural history and treatment complexity of these lesions. The ELANA technique is a useful tool in the treatment armamentarium of the vascular neurosurgeon.

Excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis. An emerging technology for use in the creation of intracranial-intracranial and extracranial-intracranial cerebral bypass.

Excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis (ELANA) has been developed over the past 14 years for assistance in the creation of intracranial bypasses. The ELANA technique allows the creation of intracranial-intracranial and extracranial-intracranial bypasses without the need for temporary occlusion of the recipient artery, avoiding the inherent risk associated with occlusion time. In this review the authors discuss the technique and its indications, while reviewing the clinical results of the procedure. The technique itself is explained using cartoon drawings and intraoperative photographs. Advantages and disadvantages of the technique are also discussed.

Bilateral vertebral artery balloon occlusion for giant vertebrobasilar aneurysms

Abstract We describe the clinical presentation, radiological and clinical results in six consecutive patients with a giant vertebrobasilar aneurysm treated by bilateral vertebral artery balloon occlusion. Five patients presented with headache and signs of brain-stem compression and one with subarachnoid haemorrhage. In all patients vertebral artery balloon occlusion was performed. In four, this followed successful test occlusion. In one patient, who did not tolerate the test occlusion, a bypass from the external carotid to the posterior cerebral artery preceded definitive vertebral artery occlusion. One patient underwent bypass surgery prior to test occlusion. At 6–22 months follow-up three patients had a good functional outcome and showed unchanged size or shrinkage of the aneurysm on MRI. Three other patients died; one from recurrent haemorrhage, and two probably from delayed brain-stem ischaemia. The presence of two large posterior communicating arteries predicted good functional outcome, which was also related to the clinical condition at presentation, and the degree of brain-stem compression and oedema on MRI. Bilateral vertebral artery balloon occlusion can be considered in patients with otherwise untreatable giant vertebrobasilar aneurysms. If test occlusion is not tolerated, a surgical bypass to the posterior circulation can be considered.