Shuko Matsubara

Intraprocedural plaque protrusion resulting in cerebral embolism during carotid angioplasty with stenting

An 82-year-old man with an asymptomatic left high-grade carotid stenosis was treated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) under distal protection. The procedure consisted with predilation with a 5 × 40 mm percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon, deployment of a 10 × 20 mm self-expandable stent, post-dilation with a 7 × 20 mm PTA balloon, and aspiration of debris with 60 ml of blood. The cervical carotid angiogram immediately after deflation of the distal blocking balloon demonstrated a small in-stent filling defect of the contrast medium that protruded from the anterior wall of the carotid artery. The following cranial carotid angiogram showed abrupt occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Because the in-stent lesion had vanished in the repeat study after recognition of this embolic event, it was suggested that an embolus had been liberated from the in-stent lesion, reaching the left MCA and obliterating it. In this case, the embolus was speculated to originate in the ruptured plaque, which protruded into the stent through the cells of the device and became liberated into the bloodstream. Attention should be paid so as not to overlook any plaque protrusion, which may be seen subsequently as a cerebral embolism on the angiogram obtained immediately after CAS.

Accordion effect during carotid artery stenting: report of two cases and review of the literature.

IntroductionThe term “accordion effect” is used to describe a mechanical distortion of tortuous arteries mimicking spasm or dissection. This phenomenon has been reported in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of the accordion effect during carotid artery intervention.MethodsTwo patients who developed the accordion effect during carotid artery stenting (CAS) are described.ResultsAngiograms obtained just after CAS showed a stenosing lesion with wall irregularity at the distal part of the stent. This lesion disappeared and tortuosity of the internal carotid artery developed after withdrawing the guidewire until its floppy segment rested equally on the lesion. In another patient, the lesion did not disappear completely until the guiding catheter had been withdrawn to the proximal portion of the common carotid artery. We conclude that these stenosing lesions reflected the accordion effect.ConclusionIt is essential to differentiate the accordion effect from dissection, spasm, and thrombosis because the management is importantly different. We report our findings and present a review of the literature.

Spasm induced by protection balloon during carotid artery stenting

PurposeThe PercuSurge system is a distal balloon embolic protection device used for carotid artery stenting (CAS). We performed a retrospective study on the prognosis and clinical effects of spasms induced by the PercuSurge GuardWire system (PercuSurge-induced spasm).Materials and methodsWe performed CAS in 118 carotid stenoses using the PercuSurge system. Of the 118 procedures, 31 (26.3%) of the patients experienced PercuSurge-induced spasm, and all underwent postoperative follow-up studies by cerebral angiography and antiplatelet treatment.ResultsOn follow-up angiograms obtained a mean of 5.2 months (range 3–10 months) after CAS, all 31 PercuSurge-induced spasms had disappeared, and no delayed stenosis was found at the sites where the spasms had occurred. No ischemic events due to the spasms occurred during a mean follow-up of 13 months (range 3–32 months).ConclusionIn the hands of physicians experienced in endovascular surgery, CAS using the PercuSurge system is a safe method with which to treat patients with carotid stenosis. Our study demonstrated that PercuSurge-induced spasms had no morphological or clinical adverse effects.

Percutaneous reconstruction of the innominate bifurcation using the retrograde ‘kissing stents’ technique

IntroductionObstructions of the supraaortic vessels are an important cause of morbidity associated with a variety of symptoms. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has evolved as an effective and safe treatment modality for occlusive lesions of the supraaortic vessels. However, the endovascular management of an innominate bifurcation has not previously been reported.MethodsA 53-year-old female with a history of systematic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia presented with left hemiparesis and dysarthria. Angiography of the innominate artery showed a stenosis of the innominate bifurcation.ResultsThe lesion was successfully treated using the retrograde kissing stent technique via a brachial approach and an exposed direct carotid approach.ConclusionThe retrograde kissing stent technique for the treatment of a stenosis of the innominate bifurcation was found to be a safe and effective alternative to conventional surgery.