Objective To investigate the short and medium term results of Castor single branched stent combined with parallel stent technique in the reconstruction of two supra-aortic branches in total endovascular repair of aortic arch lesions. Methods The patients with aortic arch disease who were treated with single-branch stents combined with parallel stents for Z1 anchoring and total endovascular repair from April 2022 to August 2022 in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China were retrospectively included, and the perioperative and follow-up data of the patients were analyzed. ResultsThere were 4 males and 1 female with an average age of (46.2±18.6) years. This study included 1 patient of aortic arch aneurysm and 4 patients of acute non-A non-B aortic dissection. The success rate of surgical technique was 100.0%. The operative time was (132.3±45.1) min, the immediate postoperative isolation of lesions was satisfactory, and there were no adverse events and death in perioperative period. The follow-up time was 12-15 months. During the follow-up period, all patients survived without stent displacement, type Ⅰa endoleak, parallel stent stenosis and occlusion, or re-operation. Conclusion The short and medium term results of single branched stents combined with parallel stents in total endovascular repair of aortic arch diseases requiring Z1 anchoring is satisfactory.
Objective To analyze the clinical effect of hybrid surgery on complex type B aortic dissection in 5 years. Methods A retrospective analysis of 47 patients with complex type B aortic dissection in the Central Hospital of Wuhan affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2014 to 2017 was conducted, including 42 males and 5 females with an average age of 54.9±11.2 years. Twenty-one patients underwent the left common carotid artery to the left subclavian artery bypass (a bypass group), and 26 patients underwent the left common carotid artery to the left subclavian artery transposition (a transposition group). Results All patients accepted hybrid surgery successfully. There was no statistical difference in arterial occlusion time or intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P＞0.05). The 5-year follow-up rate was 100.0% (47/47). During the follow-up period, 12 (25.5%) patients developed complications, including 5 (10.6%) patients of endoleak, 5 (10.6%) patients of hoarseness, 2 (4.3%) patients of stroke/dizziness. There was no patient of left upper limb weakness, paraplegia or retrograde aotic dissection. The reconstructed left subclavian artery remained patent in 46 (97.9%) patients. The overall 5-year survival rate was 100.0%. Conclusion The long-term therapeutic outcome of hybrid surgery for the treatment of complex type B aortic dissection is satisfying. In 5 years, the rebuilt left subclavian artery has a remarkable patency rate. Endoleak and hoarseness are the most common surgical complications.
In clinic, intima and media thickness are the main indicators for evaluating the development of atherosclerosis. At present, these indicators are measured by professional doctors manually marking the boundaries of the inner and media on B-mode images, which is complicated, time-consuming and affected by many artificial factors. A grayscale threshold method based on Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering is therefore proposed to detect the intima and media thickness in carotid arteries from B-mode images in this paper. Firstly, the B-mode images are clustered based on the GMM, and the boundary between the intima and media of the vessel wall is then detected by the gray threshold method, and finally the thickness of the two is measured. Compared with the measurement technique using the gray threshold method directly, the clustering of B-mode images of carotid artery solves the problem of gray boundary blurring of inner and middle membrane, thereby improving the stability and detection accuracy of the gray threshold method. In the clinical trials of 120 healthy carotid arteries, means of 4 manual measurements obtained by two experts are used as reference values. Experimental results show that the normalized root mean square errors (NRMSEs) of the estimated intima and media thickness after GMM clustering were 0.104 7 ± 0.076 2 and 0.097 4 ± 0.068 3, respectively. Compared with the results of the direct gray threshold estimation, means of NRMSEs are reduced by 19.6% and 22.4%, respectively, which indicates that the proposed method has higher measurement accuracy. The standard deviations are reduced by 17.0% and 21.7%, respectively, which indicates that the proposed method has better stability. In summary, this method is helpful for early diagnosis and monitoring of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis.
ObjectiveTo analyze the short-term and long-term efficacy of staged coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) compared with CABG alone in patients with coronary heart disease with preoperative history of stroke and carotid stenosis. MethodsWe reviewed the clinical data of 55 patients (48 males, 7 females, aged 67.62±7.06 years) with coronary heart disease and carotid stenosis who had a history of stroke and underwent CABG+CAS or CABG alone in Zhongshan Hospital from 2008 to 2017. There were 13 patients in the staged CABG+CAS group and 42 patients in the CABG alone group. The differences in the incidence of perioperative adverse events and long-term survival between the two groups were studied, and univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to determine the independent risk factors of long-term adverse events. Results Perioperative adverse events occurred in 1 (7.69%) patient of the staged CABG+CAS group, and 4 (9.52%) patients of the CABG alone group (P=0.84). During the follow-up period (67.84±37.99 months), the long-term survival rate of patients in the staged CABG+CAS group was significantly higher than that in the CABG alone group (P=0.02). The risk of long-term adverse events in the staged CABG+CAS group was 0.22 times higher than that in the CABG alone group (95%CI 0.05-0.92, P=0.04). ConclusionStaged CABG+CAS can significantly improve the long-term survival prognosis without increasing the perioperative risk. It is a safe and effective treatment, but prospective randomized studies are still needed to further confirm this finding.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and effectiveness of vascular reconstruction in patients with symptomatic tortuosity common carotid artery (SCAT). MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 12 cases of SCAT treated with vascular reconstruction between June 2010 and October 2013. There were 11 females and 1 male with the mean age of 54.8 years (range, 48-62 years). The unilateral common carotid artery was involved in all cases. Imaging examination showed C-shaped tortuosity of 4-8 cm in length (mean, 5.4 cm). The CT, brain CT, ultrasound examinations, or angiography was performed at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and annually. ResultsThe surgery success rate was 100% with no perioperative death and serious complications. The mean operation time was 1.98 hours; the mean blood loss was 50 mL; and the mean clamping time was 14.9 minutes. The systolic pressure gradient across the lesion was significantly decreased from (39.58±9.54) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) at pre-operation to (5.50±2.39) mm Hg at immediate after operation (t=15.492, P=0.000). No recurrence or stenosis was found at 9 months to 3 years of follow-up. The systolic and diastolic pressures at last follow-up were significantly improved to (132.17±6.24) mm Hg and (82.67±6.51) mm Hg from (152.83±14.80) mm Hg and (94.17±11.30) mm Hg at pre-operation (t=5.751, P=0.000; t=4.976, P=0.000). ConclusionVascular reconstruction in SCAT is recommended for good short- and mid-term effectiveness and relatively low complication and mortality after operation. Moreover, the long-term results still need to be investigated.
A method of ultrasonic simulation based on the FIELD II software platform for carotid artery plaque was proposed according to the analysis for geometrical shape, tissue characteristics and acoustic properties of carotid artery plaques in clinic, and then a simulation system was developed by using the MATLAB graphical user interface (GUI). In the simulation and development, a three-dimensional geometric model of blood vessel with plaques was set up by using the metaball implicit surface technique, and a tissue model was established based on the scatterers with spatial position of gamma random distribution. Comparison of the statistical and geometrical characteristics from simulated ultrasound B-mode images with those based on clinical ones and preset values, the results fully demonstrated the effectiveness of the simulation methods and system.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the level of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), internal carotid artery stiffness index, and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with macular edema (ME). MethodsA retrospective study. A total of 202 patients with NAION diagnosed by ophthalmic examination in Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University from January 2023 to January 2025 were included in the study. Based on the presence or absence of ME, the patients were divided into the NAION+ME group and the NAION group, with 94 and 108 cases respectively. A prediction model was constructed based on the influencing factors. To comprehensively evaluate the predictive value of SDF-1 level and carotid artery stiffness index for NAION with ME, a multidimensional analytical approach was employed. The diagnostic performance of individual and combined markers was assessed by constructing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine their independent predictive value. Stratified subgroup analyses were conducted to explore predictive differences across various populations. Cox proportional hazards regression models were established to evaluate long-term predictive value. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was applied to reveal potential nonlinear dose-response relationships. Mediation effect models were constructed to analyze the mediating role of carotid artery stiffness index in the association between SDF-1 level and NAION with ME. ResultsIn the NAION+ME group, systolic blood pressure (t=6.066), body mass index (t=2.804), disease duration (t=2.552), intraocular pressure (t=2.574), high-density lipoprotein (t=2.729), fasting blood glucose (t=2.022), glycosylated hemoglobin (t=7.235), SDF-1 level (t=14.319), and internal carotid artery stiffness index (t=2.633) were higher than those in the NAION group, while diastolic blood pressure was lower (P＜0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of SDF-1 level combined with internal carotid artery stiffness index in predicting the risk of adverse prognosis was 0.894 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.803-0.945], with a sensitivity of 87.98% and a specificity of 95.69%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant independent correlations between SDF-1 level (OR=1.682, 95%CI 1.156-1.986), internal carotid artery stiffness index (OR=1.826, 95%CI 1.369-2.648), and the risk of ME in NAION patients (P＜0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that elevated SDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index were associated with a higher risk of NAION with ME (Pfor trend＜0.05). RCS analysis demonstrated a nonlinear dose-response relationship between the continuous changes in SDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index and the risk of NAION with ME (P＜0.05). Mediation effect model analysis showed that internal carotid artery stiffness index played a mediating role between SDF-1 level and the risk of NAION with ME. ConclusionsSDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index are independent risk factors for ME in NAION patients. The combined detection of these two indicators holds significant value in predicting disease progression.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of dual-source CT perfusion imaging (CTPI) in the assessment of cerebral hemodynamic changes in patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsThirty patients diagnosed to have internal carotid atherosclerosis by CT angiography examination with various degrees of stenosis or occlusion were treated between January 2012 and May 2013. Whole brain perfusion imaging was performed on all the patients. We rebuilt the CTPI figure parameters respectively, including cerebral blood volume (CBV), blood flow (CBF), mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) to assess brain tissue perfusion. ResultsIn the 30 patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis, 8 had mild stenosis lumen, 12 moderate stenosis, 7 severe stenosis and 3 had occlusion. In mild stenosis cases, TTP of stenosis-side vessels was higher than those of coutralateral side (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other perfusion parameters between bilateral vessels among mild stenosis cases (P>0.05). MTT and TTP of stenosis-side vessels were higher than those of contralateral side in moderate stenosis cases (P<0.05). In severe stenosis or obstruction cases, MTT and TTP of stenosis-side vessels were higher than those of contralateral side, while CBF and CBV of stenosis-side vessels were lower than contralateral side (P<0.05). Twenty-two in the 30 cases had perfusion abnormalities, and there was a significant difference between the stenosis side cerebral perfusion and the healthy side mirror area (P<0.05). ConclusionCTPI can reflect brain tissue perfusion early and comprehensively, and fully reflect internal carotid atherosclerosis caused by severe stenosis or occlusion of cerebral hemodynamic changes, which provides important information for clinical treatment and helps clinicians to formulate individualized treatment plan.
Objective To investigate the experience of selective embolization combined with intraoperative internal carotid artery shunt for surgical treatment of carotid body tumor （CBT）. Methods The data of 21 patients （22 sides） with CBT who underwent surgical resection from January 2002 to July 2012 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The all patients’ conditions were fully assessmented and all patients were performed the carotid arteriography and superselective embolization treatment for the blood supply of tumor by with microcatheter on 2-3 days before operation，and then intraoperative internal carotid artery shunt and resection of carotid body tumors were performed. Results Surgical procedures were successfully performeded in all 21 patients （22 sides）. Among them， 16 patients （17 sides） were taken carotid body tumor resected， 5 patients were taken carotid body tumor resected and internal carotid artery reconstruction （autogenous long saphenous vein were used in 3 patients， vascular prosthesis were used in 2 patients）. The postoperative complications were found in 5 patients after anesthesia recovery， which included crooked tongue in 3 cases and facial numbness in 2 cases， and they were cured in 3 months. There were no cerebral infarction， hemiplegia， and death cases. All 21 patients were followed-up for a period from 2 months to 9 years（average 57 months）， there was no tumor recurred. Conclusions Surgical resection is the first choice for treatment of carotid body tumor. The application of selective embolization and intraoperative internal carotid artery shunt for surgical treatment of carotid body tumor in complicated Shamblin Ⅲ stage is safe and effective.
Superficial temporal artery (STA) - middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass surgery has been widely used to treat patients with moyamoya disease, and its application value in symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA)/MCA stenosis/occlusion remains controversial. With the development of imaging, micro-devices and surgical techniques, and the deepen understanding of diseases, the effectiveness of STA-MCA bypass surgery in the treatment of symptomatic ICA/MCA stenosis/occlusion is further required. This article reviews the process of development and evolution of this surgical technique, as well as the significance and deficiencies of several randomized controlled trials of ICA/MCA treatment in the past, and looks forward to possible improvements in future research, so as to clarify the way for further randomized controlled study.