OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the value of the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in predicting myocardial functional outcome after revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with CTO underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) before and 6 months after revascularization. Three baseline markers of functional outcome were evaluated in the dysfunctional segments assigned to the CTO vessels: ECV, transmural extent of infarction (TEI), and unenhanced rim thickness (RIM). At the global level, the ECV values of the whole myocardium with and without a hyperenhanced region (global and remote ECV) were respectively measured. RESULTS: In per-segment analysis, ECV was superior to TEI and RIM in predicting functional recovery (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.86 vs. 0.75 and 0.73, all p values < 0.010), and it emerged as the only independent predictor of regional functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.89; p < 0.001) independent of collateral circulation. In per-patient analysis, global baseline ECV was indicative of ejection fraction (EF) at the follow-up examination (β = −0.61, p < 0.001) and changes in EF (β = −0.57, p = 0.001) in multivariate regression analysis. A patient with global baseline ECV less than 30.0% (AUC, 0.93; sensitivity 94%, specificity 80%) was more likely to demonstrate significant EF improvement (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17–0.85; p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Extracellular volume fraction obtained by CMR may provide incremental value for the prediction of functional recovery both at the segmental and global levels in CTO patients, and may facilitate the identification of patients who can benefit from revascularization.
Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Vessels* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and collateral circulation in patients with acute cerebral infarction (AIS) after thrombolytic therapy. METHODS: This retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted among 65 patients with AIS receiving thrombolytic therapy, who were divided according to findings by computed tomographic angiography (CTA) into good collateral circulation (group A, = 34) and poor collateral circulation (group B, = 31). Serum samples were collected from all the patients and the levels of TLR4 were measured with ELISA. RESULTS: The patients in group A had significantly better outcomes than those in group B. The NIHSS scores at 24 h and 30 days after thrombolytic therapy, mRS scores at 90 days and serum TLR4 levels were significantly lower in group A than in group B ( < 0.05); the percentages of patients with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were comparable between the two groups. The serum levels of TLR4 were negatively correlated with the rMLC score ( < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high level of TLR4 was associated with a poor collateral circulation after thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS Good collateral circulation can increase the benefit of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with ACI, and the level of TLR4 is a predictive factor for the compensation of collateral circulation following ACI.
Biomarkers ; Brain Ischemia ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cohort Studies ; Collateral Circulation ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; metabolism ; therapy ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: In patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, collateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow has a protective role against ischemia. However, some of these patients may experience initial major neurological deficits and major worsening on following days. Thus, we investigated the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) for ICA occlusion with collateral MCA flow by comparing clinical outcomes of medical treatment versus EVT.METHODS: The inclusion criteria were as follows : 1) acute ischemic stroke with ICA occlusion and presence of collateral MCA flow on transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) and 2) hospital arrival within 12 hours from symptom onset. The treatment strategy was made by the attending physician based on the patient’s clinical status and results of TFCA.RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included (30 medical treatment, 51 EVT). The EVT group revealed a high incidence of intracranial ICA occlusion, longer ipsilesional MCA contrast filling time, and a similar rate of favorable clinical outcome despite a higher mean baseline the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. By binary logistic regression analysis, intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and EVT were independent predictors of favorable clinical outcome. In subgroup analysis based on stroke etiology, the non-atherosclerotic group showed a higher baseline NIHSS score, higher incidence of EVT, and a higher rate of distal embolization during EVT in comparison with the atherosclerotic group.CONCLUSION: In patients with ICA occlusion and collateral MCA flow, decisions regarding treatment strategy based on TFCA can help achieve favorable clinical outcomes. EVT strategy with respect to etiology of ICA occlusion might help achieve better angiographic outcomes.
Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Angiography ; Collateral Circulation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ischemia ; Logistic Models ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Stroke ; Thrombectomy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

PURPOSE: We report a case of acute visual loss with ophthalmoplegia after prone position spinal surgery who had blood supply dependence on collateral circulation due to occlusion of the Internal carotid artery. CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old man was referred to the department of ophthalmology for acute visual loss and ophthalmoplegia after lumbar spine surgery performed in prone position. On the initial visit, his right visual acuity was 0.8 and the left visual acuity was negative light perception. Intraocular pressure was normal. There was a relative afferent pupillary defect and ophthalmoplegia of all directions in the left eye. Because of the ptosis of the upper eyelid in the left eye, it was impossible to tune the eye voluntarily. The cherry red spot and pale retina were observed on the fundus examination. On brain magnetic resonance imaging angiography, we found complete obstruction of the left internal carotid artery. He had intravenous injection of 1 g methylprednisolone for 3 days, and discharged with per oral medicine. After 1 month of treatment, the ophthalmoplegia was slightly improved, but visual acuity was not recovered. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, unlike previous reports, acute visual loss and ophthalmoplegia occurred after spinal surgery the patient who had collateral circulation for ocular blood supply because of complete obstruction of the left internal carotid artery. This report highlights the importance of being aware of the anatomical variant in possible complications of external ocular compression after non-ocular surgery.
Aged ; Angiography ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Collateral Circulation ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intraocular Pressure ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methylprednisolone ; Ophthalmology ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Oral Medicine ; Prone Position ; Pupil Disorders ; Retina ; Retinal Artery Occlusion ; Spine ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Collateral status is an important factor determining outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Hence, different collateral scoring systems have been introduced. We applied different scoring systems on single- and multi-phase computed tomography (CT) angiography (spCTA and mpCTA) and compared them to CT perfusion (CTP) parameters to identify the best method for collateral evaluation in patients with AIS. METHODS: A total of 102 patients with AIS due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation who underwent multimodal CT imaging and who were treated endovascularly were included. Collateral status was assessed on spCTA and mpCTA using four different scoring systems and compared to CTP parameters. Logistic regression was performed for predicting favorable outcome. RESULTS: All collateral scores correlated well with each other and with CTP parameters. Comparison of collateral scores stratified by extent of perfusion deficit showed relevant differences between groups (P < 0.01 for each). An spCTA collateral score discriminated best between favorable and unfavorable outcome as determined using the modified Rankin Scale 3 months after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Collateral status evaluated on spCTA may suffice for outcome prediction and decision making in AIS patients, potentially obviating further imaging modalities like mpCTA or CTP.
Angiography* ; Collateral Circulation ; Cytidine Triphosphate ; Decision Making ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Methods ; Perfusion* ; Stroke* ; Treatment Outcome

Angiography ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Collateral Circulation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Subclavian Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; Vascular Access Devices

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Measuring the extent of the collateral blood vessels using computed tomography (CT) angiography source images may promote tissue survival and functional gain in acute ischemic stroke patients who are candidates for endovascular recanalization treatment. METHODS: Of 5,558 acute stroke patients registered in a prospective clinical stroke registry, 104 met the selection criteria of endovascular recanalization treatment for internal cerebral artery or middle cerebral artery main-stem (M1) occlusions and presented for treatment ≤4 hours after the event. Using CT angiography source images, two independent and blinded reviewers measured the extent of collateral circulations at four regions, with good interrater reliability. The functional recovery at 3 months after stroke was used as an outcome variable. RESULTS: Cases with a sufficient collateral circulation at the Sylvian fissure showed significantly increased likelihood of having a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2 at 3 months after stroke (adjusted odds ratio=3.03, 95% confidence interval=1.19–7.73, p=0.02), but the association became nonsignificant after adding the infarct volume to the model (p=0.65). The association between leptomeningeal convexity collaterals and functional recovery was no longer significant after adjusting for the infarct volume (p=0.28). The natural indirect effect of infarct volume on functional recovery was significant for both the Sylvian fissure (p=0.03) and leptomeningeal convexity (p=0.02) collaterals. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of collateral circulation at the Sylvian fissure was significantly associated with functional recovery, which may be mediated via the volume of the final infarction.
Angiography* ; Blood Vessels ; Cerebral Arteries ; Collateral Circulation ; Humans ; Infarction ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Mortality ; Patient Selection ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke* ; Tissue Survival

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perfusion-diffusion mismatch has been evaluated to determine whether the presence of a target mismatch helps to identify patients who respond favorably to recanalization therapies. We compared the impact on infarct growth of collateral status and the presence of a penumbra, using magnetic resonance perfusion (MRP) techniques. METHODS: Consecutive patients who were candidates for recanalization therapy and underwent serial diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and MRP were enrolled. A collateral flow map derived from MRP source data was generated by automatic post-processing. The impact of a target mismatch (Tmax>6 s/apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) volume≥1.8, ADC volume<70 mL; and Tmax>10 s for ADC volume<100 mL) on infarct growth was compared with MR-based collateral grading on day 7 DWI, using multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 73 patients, 55 (75%) showed a target mismatch, whereas collaterals were poor in 14 (19.2%), intermediate in 36 (49.3%), and good in 23 (31.5%) patients. After adjusting for initial severity of stroke, early recanalization (P<0.001) and the MR-based collateral grading (P=0.001), but not the presence of a target mismatch, were independently associated with infarct growth. Even in patients with a target mismatch and successful recanalization, the degree of infarct growth depended on the collateral status. Perfusion status at later Tmax time points (beyond the arterial phase) was more closely correlated with collateral status. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with good collaterals show a favorable outcome in terms of infarct growth, regardless of the presence of a target mismatch pattern. The presence of slow blood filling predicts collateral status and infarct growth.
Collateral Circulation ; Diffusion ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Perfusion ; Stroke

Coronary arterial involvement in Takayasu arteritis (TA) is not uncommon. Herein, we describe a case of TA with celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery occlusion combined with coronary artery disease. Bilateral huge internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) and the inferior mesenteric artery provided the major visceral collateral circulation. After percutaneous intervention to the right coronary artery, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for the left coronary territory was done using a right ITA graft and its large side branch because of its relatively minor contribution to the visceral collateral circulation.
Collateral Circulation* ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Mammary Arteries* ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Takayasu Arteritis* ; Transplants

INTRODUCTION: The coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is an alternative source of blood supply in coronary artery disease (CAD). The prognostic value of the presence of CCC at the time of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is undefined with regards to hard outcomes, particularly reduction in mortality. The study's aim is to determine if the presence of CCC demonstrated by coronary angiography during an ACS is associated with a reduction in mortality. 

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of studies using MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases in all languages and examined reference lists of studies. The inclusion criteria were 1) observational; 2) population included adults >19 years old with an acute coronary syndrome; 3) reported data on mortality in association with the presence or absence of CCC on angiography; and 4) should have controlled for confounders by using logistic regression analysis. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for observational studies. The outcome of interest was reduction in all-cause mortality, assessed using Mantel-Haenzel analysis of random effects to compute for risk ratios.

RESULTS: Pooled analysis from 11 identified trials with 8,370 subjects showed that among patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography, the presence of CCC showed a trend towards benefit in terms of mortality, but was not statistically different from those without CCC [RR 0.65, (95% CI 0.38 to 1.12), p<0.0001, I2=74%]. In those ACS patients with CCC treated with PCI, a significant reduction in mortality was found [RR 0.43, (95% CI 0.29 to 0.64), p< 0.0001, I2=0%].

CONCLUSION: The presence of CCC during ACS showed a trend towards mortality reduction. Further, among patients treated with PCI, those with CCC had an incrementally significant reduction in mortality compared to those without CCC.

Coronary Artery Disease ; Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Angiography ; Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Odds Ratio ; Prognosis ; Language ; Medline ; Logistic Models ; Coronary Circulation ; Qualitative Research ; Cardiovascular System