Carotid stenting for symptomatic carotid artery web: Multicenter experience.

Objective: Carotid artery webs are an underappreciated cause of recurrent ischemic stroke, and may represent a significant portion of cryptogenic stroke. Evidence-based guidelines for the management of symptomatic carotid webs do not exist. The goal of this study is to audit our local experience for patients with symptomatic carotid artery webs undergoing carotid stenting as a treatment option, along with describing the hypothesized dynamic physiology of carotid webs.

Endovascular treatment for anterior inferior cerebellar artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA-PICA) common trunk variant aneurysms: Technical note and literature review.

The Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery-Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA-PICA) common trunk is a rare variant of cerebral posterior circulation in which a single vessel originating from either the basilar or vertebral arteries supplies both cerebellum and brainstem territories. We present the first case of an unruptured right AICA-PICA aneurysm treated with flow diversion using a Shield-enhanced pipeline endovascular device (PED, VANTAGE Embolization Device with Shield Technology, Medtronic, Canada). We expand on this anatomic variant and review the relevant literature.

Photomodulated Extrusion as a Localized Endovascular Hydrogel Deposition Method.

Minimally invasive endovascular embolization is used to treat a wide range of diseases in neurology, oncology, and trauma where the vascular morphologies and corresponding hemodynamics vary greatly. Current techniques based on metallic coils, flow diverters, liquid embolics, and suspended microspheres are limited in their ability to address a wide variety of vasculature and can be plagued by complications including distal migration, compaction, and inappropriate vascular remodeling. Further, these endovascular devices currently offer limited therapeutic functions beyond flow control such as drug delivery.

Photosensitive Hydrogel-Based Embolic Agent Treatment of Wide-Necked Aneurysms: Preliminary Animal Results.

The endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms has become widespread but may still be limited by recurrence rates or complications. The discovery of novel embolic strategies may help mitigate these concerns. We formulated a Photosensitive Hydrogel Polymer (PHP) embolic agent which is low-viscosity, shear-thinning, and radio-opaque.

Endovascular and Antithrombotic Treatment in Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Ischemic stroke has been estimated to occur in up to 26% of patients with blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI). Antithrombotic therapy (AT) may be used for stroke prevention, but the role of endovascular treatment (ET) remains unclear. We systematically reviewed the literature on AT and ET for the treatment of patients with BCVIs.

Editor's Choice - Peri-Operative Outcomes of Carotid Endarterectomy are Not Improved on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy vs. Aspirin Monotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the peri-operative outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) vs. aspirin monotherapy was carried out, to determine optimal peri-operative management with these antiplatelet agents.

Data Sources: The Web of Science, Pubmed, and Embase databases were searched from inception to July 2021.

Access-site complications in ultrasound-guided endovascular thrombectomy: a single-institution retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Mechanical endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is an increasingly relied-on treatment for clot retrieval in the context of ischemic strokes, which otherwise are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite several known risks associated with this procedure, there is a high degree of technical heterogeneity across both centers and operators. The most common procedural complications occur at the point of transfemoral access (the common femoral artery), and include access-site hematomas, dissections, and pseudoaneurysms.

Antithrombotic choice in blunt cerebrovascular injuries: Experience at a tertiary trauma center, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

Background: Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) may occur following trauma and lead to ischemic stroke if untreated. Antithrombotic therapy decreases this risk; however, the optimal agent has yet to be determined in this population. The aim of this study was to compare the risk-benefit profile of antiplatelet (AP) versus anticoagulant (AC) therapy in rates of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic complications in BCVI patients.

Minimally invasive intrathecal spinal cord imaging with optical coherence tomography.

Significance: Imaging of the spinal cord is challenging due to the surrounding bony anatomy, physiologic motion, and the small diameter of the spinal cord. This precludes the use of non-invasive imaging techniques in assessing structural changes related to trauma and evaluating residual function.

Aim: The purpose of our research was to apply endovascular technology and techniques and construct a preclinical animal model of intrathecal spinal cord imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Mechanical thrombectomy and intravascular imaging for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a preclinical model.

Objective: Although the majority of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) will improve with anticoagulation therapy, a portion of patients will either present in a comatose state or continue to deteriorate clinically despite early anticoagulation. In these cases, along with treating the underlying thrombophilia, timely thrombolysis may be beneficial. Repurposed arterial thrombectomy devices may not perform as expected in the cerebral venous sinus, and there are currently no preclinical endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) models for CVST.

Endovascular optical coherence tomography imaging in cerebrovascular disease.

Endovascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the highest resolution imaging modality currently available with spatial resolution of 10 µm. Although originally developed for interventional cardiology, the ability to visualize the luminal environment and anatomy, along with the stent-vessel interaction could be of great utility for various cerebrovascular diseases, and the adoption of endovascular OCT imaging in the evolving field of interventional neuroradiology seems instinctive. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding applications of endovascular OCT in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.

Surgical Sparing and Pairing Endovascular Interventions for Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background: Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal communications between the arterial and venous circulation within the cavernous sinus, manifesting in myriad neurological and ophthalmological sequalae. In rare circumstances patients' unique vascular anatomies preclude standard endovascular treatment for this pathology, warranting combined surgical and endovascular approaches wherein the cavernous sinus is accessed via superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) exposure, cutdown, and cannulation.

Case Description: We describe 3 cases of CCF treated at our quaternary neurovascular referral center between 2017 and 2019.

Doppler optical coherence tomography for energy seal evaluation and comparison to visual evaluation (Erratum).

The erratum corrects a misspelled author surname.

Angio-architecture of complex cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: A single centre retrospective review of treatment modalities and outcomes.

Introduction: Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are rare vascular lesions that often harbour complex angio-architectural features. This subtype of DAVF may require multiple, multimodality, or hybrid treatments. In this paper we aim to identify specific angio-architectural features that are present in complex cranial DAVFs and we report our series with respect to treatment modalities and outcomes.

Doppler optical coherence tomography for energy seal evaluation and comparison to visual evaluation.

Laser energy sealing systems have attracted much attention over the past decade given the general shift in surgical paradigm toward less invasive surgical approaches. Given this, it is paramount to have an objective method with which the quality of energy seals can be evaluated. Current methodologies used for this purpose can be problematic in the evaluation of small vessel seals.

Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Background And Purpose: Large prospective observational studies have cast doubt on the common assumption that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is superior to intravenous thrombolysis for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review our experience for patients with BAO undergoing EVT with modern endovascular devices.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing EVT with either a second-generation stent retriever or direct aspiration thrombectomy for BAO at our regional stroke center from January 1, 2013 to March 1, 2019 were included.

Optical coherence tomography imaging after endovascular thrombectomy: a novel method for evaluating vascular injury in a swine model.

Objective: Although studies have shown that some degree of iatrogenic endothelial injury occurs during endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), the clinical significance of such injury is uncertain. Furthermore, it is likely that iatrogenic effects such as endothelial denudation, intimal dissection, and tunica media edema will have varying clinical implications. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of endovascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) in quantifying vessel injury in real time after EVT, correlate vessel injury with histological findings, and perform imaging at varying time intervals after EVT to assess the impact of prolonged direct exposure of the vessel to the thrombus.

Optical coherence tomography imaging after endovascular thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion: report of 3 cases.

Studies evaluating individuals for endothelial injury after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) have been done by means of retrieved human thrombus, MR vessel-wall imaging, and animal histopathological studies. These techniques have limitations, because MR imaging has insufficient spatial resolution to directly visualize endothelium, and histopathological examinations are performed ex vivo and are unable to provide real-time patterns of injury. The purpose of the current study was to obtain in vivo intraluminal imaging after EVT by using optical coherence tomography (OCT), examining for evidence of endothelial injury in real time.

Optical Coherence Tomography as an Adjunct During Carotid Artery Stenting for Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease.

Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been proven to decrease the risk of stroke in symptomatic patients with moderate/high-grade carotid stenosis; however, there is an increased periprocedural risk of stroke with CAS compared to carotid endarterectomy. The goal of this article is to report the utilization of endovascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) during CAS to aid in the identification of stent malapposition, plaque prolapse, and adjacent residual thrombus that could cause periprocedural stroke.

Methods: Approval was obtained for endovascular OCT imaging in patients undergoing CAS.

Differential phase standard-deviation-based optical coherence tomographic angiography for human retinal imaging in vivo.

We present a differential phase standard-deviation (DPSD)-based optical coherence tomographic (OCT) angiography (OCTA) technique to calculate the angiography images of the human retina. The standard deviation was calculated along the depth direction on the differential phase image of two B-scans (from the same position, at different times) to contrast dynamic vascular signals. The performance of a DPSD was verified by both phantom and in vivo experiments.

Perspective review on applications of optics in cerebral endovascular neurosurgery.

Cerebral endovascular neurosurgery has transformed the way we manage cerebrovascular disease. Several landmark trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of endovascular techniques leading to continued technological development and applications for various diseases. The utilization of optical technologies and devices is already underway in the field of endovascular neurosurgery.

Neurointerventional Procedural Complications in a Growing Canadian Regional Stroke Center: Single Hospital Experience Analysis in the Context of Recommended Case Volumes.

Background: Evidence continues to emerge regarding the inverse relationship between high neurointerventional case volume and complication rates, leading several medical/surgical societies to recommend minimum volumes for specific procedures. Recent data suggest few centers are meeting these requirements. We report a single center's neurointerventional complication rates with associated case volumes, along with a review of the literature.