Rafael Ortiz

Vein of Galen malformations in neonates: new management paradigms for improving outcomes.

BACKGROUND Untreated patients with symptomatic neonatal presentation of vein of Galen aneurismal malformations (VGAMs) carry almost 100% morbidity and mortality. Medical management and endovascular techniques for neonatal treatment have significantly evolved. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical and angiographic outcomes of modern management of neonates with refractory heart failure from VGAMs. METHODS From 2005 to 2010, 16 neonatal patients with VGAM presented to our institution. Medical care from the prenatal to perinatal stages was undertaken according to specified institutional guidelines. Nine patients with refractory heart failure required neonatal endovascular intervention. All patients were treated by transarterial deposition of n-butyl cyanoacrylate into fistula sites. Short- and long-term angiographic studies and clinical outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS Control of heart failure was achieved in 8 patients. One premature baby died shortly after treatment. Long-term angiographic follow-up shows total or near-total angiographic obliteration in all 8 patients. One patient has a mild hemiparesis from treatment. Another has a mild developmental delay. One patient developed a severe seizure disorder and developmental delay. Overall, 66.7% patients have normal neurological development with near-total or total obliteration of the malformation. CONCLUSION Treatment of refractory heart failure in neonatal VGAM with modern prenatal, neurointensive, neuroanesthetic, and pediatric neuroendovascular care results in significantly improved outcomes with presumed cure and normal neurological development in most.

Iatrogenic dissection during neurointerventional procedures: a retrospective analysis

Introduction Retrospective analysis of patients suffering iatrogenic dissection during neurointervention is reported. The circumstances surrounding the occurrence, early detection, clinical course and management options are discussed. Methods and results 18 iatrogenic dissections over 11 years were retrospectively analyzed. Data were gathered from patient records, run sheets, morbidity records and imaging studies. All procedures were done by operators trained to operate according to institution standards. Total cases were 6981, with 3925 angiograms and 3056 interventions. Incidence was 0.26%, with 0.25% during diagnostic and 0.26% during intervention. 1031 pediatric cases had no dissections. Beyond 35 years, dissection rate increased to 0.35%. There was no difference between men and women. Carotid dissection was more common than vertebral. Most were minimal intimal tear (67%) and others flow limiting (33%). All cases were managed with heparin in the acute stage and later with aspirin and Plavix or Coumadin, except in two cases. Cases having >70% luminal narrowing with poor intracranial cross circulation were stented. None presented with neurologic deficits acutely or on follow-up. 94% of patients were followed for a variable period, with variable imaging modalities, being a retrospective study. Angiogram, MRI brain with MR angiography (MRA), Doppler ultrasonogram and CT angiograms were used for follow-up. There was good outcome in 94% of the followed-up cases. Conclusion Iatrogenic dissection is a random event with a benign clinical course. Early detection and aggressive management result in excellent outcome. Angiography is the best modality to follow-up. Non-invasive imaging like MRI with MRA and duplex ultrasonography are good tools to follow dissections.

Spontaneous systolic blood pressure elevation during temporary balloon occlusion increases the risk of ischemic events after carotid artery occlusion.

OBJECTIVETemporary balloon occlusion (TBO) is the principal means to evaluate cerebrovascular reserve before carotid sacrifice (CS). Despite TBO, the incidence of ischemic events after CS remains a substantive problem. We hypothesized that differential alteration of systemic hemodynamic parameters during TBO could serve as measures of potential cerebral autoregulation-induced systemic compensatory responses. These responses indicate compromised cerebrovascular reserve, thereby predicting ischemic events after CS. METHODSWe conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent TBO and CS from 1995 to the present. Demographics, neuroimaging including angiography, and hemodynamic parameters at baseline, during TBO, and after CS were reviewed. The incidence of ischemia after CS was evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to predict the risk of ischemic events. RESULTSOf 139 patients who underwent TBO, 128 (92.1%) passed according to established criteria. Of 65 patients who underwent CS, 11 patients had unchanged or decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), whereas 54 patients had a spontaneous elevation of SBP during TBO. Only patients with a spontaneous elevation of SBP experienced ischemic events after CS (11 patients, 16.9%). All ischemic events occurred within 4 days. Men and individuals older than age 50 were at higher risk of ischemic complications, despite demonstration of tolerance to TBO. CONCLUSIONSBP changes during TBO are manifestations of systemic response to an adequate or a compromised cerebrovascular reserve. These systemic responses are crucial to predict outcome after CS. We strongly recommend adjunctive tests in the instances of spontaneous elevation of SBP during TBO, particularly in men and the elderly.

Forearm Cephalic Vein Graft for Short, "Middle"-Flow, Internal Maxillary Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass.

BACKGROUND: The cervical carotid system has been used as a source of donor vessels for radial artery or saphenous vein grafts in cerebral bypass. Recently, internal maxillary artery to middle cerebral artery bypass has been described as an alternative, with reduction of graft length potentially correlating with improved patency. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience using the forearm cephalic vein grafts for short segment internal maxillary artery to middle cerebral artery bypasses. METHODS: All vein grafts were harvested from the volar forearm between the proximal cubital fossa where the median cubital vein is confluent with the cephalic vein and the distal wrist. RESULTS: Six patients were treated with internal maxillary artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. In 4, the cephalic vein was used. Postoperative angiography demonstrated good filling of the grafts with robust distal flow. There were no upper extremity vascular complications. All but 1 patient (mortality) tolerated the procedure well. The other 3 patients returned to their neurological baseline with no new neurological deficit during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The internal maxillary artery to middle cerebral artery “middle” flow bypass allows for shorter graft length with both the proximal and distal anastomoses within the same microsurgical field. These unique variable flow grafts represent an ideal opportunity for use of the cephalic vein of the forearm, which is more easily harvested than the wider saphenous vein graft and which has good match size to the M1/M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery. The vessel wall is supple, which facilitates handling during anastomosis. There is lower morbidity potential than utilization of the radial artery. Going forward, the cephalic vein will be our preferred choice for external carotid-internal carotid transplanted conduit bypass. ABBREVIATIONS: EI-IC, external carotid-internal carotid ICA, internal carotid artery IMax-MCA, internal maxillary artery to middle cerebral artery MCA, middle cerebral artery RAG, radial artery graft

Rare basal vein fistula with dilated vein of Galen.

The authors present a rare case of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of the basal vein of Rosenthal draining into a dilated vein of Galen managed by transarterial endovascular embolization. A male infant born at full term following a normal pregnancy and delivery with congestive heart failure, on investigation with MR imaging and MR angiography was found to have a basal vein of Rosenthal fistula with a dilated vein of Galen. His congestive heart failure was treated medically, and the AVF was managed electively at 10 months of age with successful transarterial endovascular embolization. The authors discuss the embryological aspects related to the pathological entity and the various clinical presentations, investigations, and management options. Management is primarily endovascular embolization; microsurgery is performed for a few selected cases, and radiosurgery has a limited role in older patients. Endovascular embolization is a safe and effective way to manage this malformation, with an excellent outcome if the AVF is eliminated by proper embolization at the fistulous point.

Intracranial Aneurysm: Diagnostic Monitoring, Current Interventional Practices, and Advances

Purpose of reviewCerebral aneurysms are commonly diagnosed incidentally with non-invasive neuro-imaging modalities (i.e., brain MRA and/or head CTA). The first decision to be made in the management of patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms is to determine if the aneurysm should undergo treatment as any intervention carries a risk of morbidity and mortality.Recent findingsThe multiple risk factors that are associated with increased risk of aneurysm rupture should be evaluated (size, shape, and location of aneurysm; history of hypertension and cigarette smoking and family history of cerebral aneurysms). With the advent and rapid evolution of less traumatic neuro-endovascular surgery techniques in the past two decades, many more patients are undergoing treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The neuro-endovascular surgeon has multiple options for the treatment of aneurysms including coiling, with or without balloon/stent assistance, and flow diversion. A number of intrasaccular devices for the neuro-endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms are being evaluated. The percentage of patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with craniotomy and clip ligation is decreasing. This is controversial as it has direct impact in neurosurgical training and the aneurysms that are usually recommended for microsurgical clipping are the ones with challenging anatomy that cannot be treated safely with endovascular approaches.SummaryThe best outcomes are achieved with management by experienced, high-volume practitioners at specialized cerebrovascular treatment centers that consist of individuals with dedicated training in neuro-endovascular surgery as well as individuals trained in open cerebrovascular neurosurgery.