Carotid Endarterectomy or Stenting in Octogenarians in a Monocentric Experience.

Background: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients at high risk for complications from surgery. The very elderly (≥80-year-old) are 1 subgroup of patients identified as being at increased risk for carotid surgery. However, there is concern that the very elderly are also at increased risk for complications of CAS.

Transcranial Doppler and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance evaluation of cerebral embolization occurring during transfemoral carotid stenting with proximal flow blockage.

Background: Transfemoral carotid artery stenting (CAS) with endovascular proximal flow blockage is deemed able to reduce the cerebral embolization observed during filter-protected CAS. We evaluated clinical outcome and intraoperative embolization rates, measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and transcranial Doppler monitoring, in a series of patients undergoing CAS with proximal flow blockage.

Methods: A series of 35 consecutive patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis ≥70% were included to undergo CAS with proximal flow blockage, obtained with the Mo.

FGF-23 levels in patients with critical carotid artery stenosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 serum levels and its tissue expression in patients with critical carotid artery stenosis (CAS). We selected 35 patients with critical CAS undergoing carotid thromboendoarterectomy. In each patient, FGF-23 serum levels were evaluated just prior to the surgery (t0) and 30 min (t1) thereafter.

Cognitive Performance following Carotid Endarterectomy or Stenting in Asymptomatic Patients with Severe ICA Stenosis.

Background. Endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting (CAS) of a stenotic carotid artery is currently undertaken to reduce stroke risk. In addition removal of the arterial narrowing has been hypothesized to improve cerebral hemodynamics and provide benefits in cognitive functions, by supposedly resolving a "hypoperfusion" condition.

Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C and D iliac lesions can be treated by endovascular and hybrid approach: a single-center experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results of endovascular and hybrid treatment in patients with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II type "C" and "D" aortoiliac lesions and to highlight, in contrast to TASC II guidelines, the importance to analyze individually the lesions of a single iliac axis.

Methods: From January 2008 to December 2012, 50 patients with TASC II type C and D aortoiliac lesions underwent endovascular or hybrid treatment. In 38 patients (76%), the lesions were treated by endovascular approach, while in 12 (24%) patients surgical treatment was adopted.

Spontaneous rupture of superficial femoral artery repaired with endovascular stent-grafting with use of rendez-vous technique, followed by delayed infection.

This is the case of a 72-year-old man with lower limb ischemia due to spontaneous rupture of nonaneurysmal superficial femoral artery that developed into thigh hematoma. After failure of a Fogarty revascularization, an emergency endovascular procedure was performed to restore the arterial continuity. A rendezvous procedure was performed with a double femoral and popliteal approach and two covered stent-grafts were deployed.

Endovascular treatment of common carotid artery dissection via the superficial temporal artery.

Purpose: To describe the endovascular treatment of an iatrogenic common carotid artery (CCA) dissection using the superficial temporal artery (STA) as the principal access.

Technique: An 83-year-old man with a post-carotid endarterectomy left CCA dissection was admitted for a transient ischemic attack involving the left cerebral hemisphere that occurred despite proper anticoagulation. After excluding redo surgery and transfemoral stenting (owing to a partially compromised aortobifemoral bypass graft), stenting of the left CCA dissection was planned using a right transbrachial approach, with the left STA as an additional access.