Objective To investigate the clinical incidence of cerebral artery fenestration and its digital subtraction angiography (DSA) characteristics in order to improve the understanding of the clinical significance of the cerebral artery fenestration. Methods Whole cerebral angiography with DSA was employed in a total of 6 432 patients. The imaging material was retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of cerebral artery fenestration and the associated cerebral artery diseases were analyzed. Results Among the 6 432 patients, cerebral artery fenestration was detected in 283 with 296 fenestrations in total (4.60%, 296/6 432). The cerebral artery fenestration of internal carotid was seen in 19 cases with 21 fenestrations (9 on the left side and 12 on the right side), and the detection rate was 0.33%. The fenestration of anterior cerebral artery was found in 46 cases with 51 fenestrations (25 on the left side and 26 on the right side), and the detection rate was 0.79%. The fenestration of middle cerebral artery was found in 54 cases with 57 fenestrations (29 on the left side and 28 on the right side), and the detection rate was 0.89%. The fenestration of vertebral artery was revealed in 68 cases with 71 fenestrations (37 on the left side and 34 on the right side), and the detection rate was 1.10%. The fenestration of basilar artery was demonstrated in 95 cases with 95 fenestrations, and the detection rate was 1.37%. Besides, 17 fenestrations were accompanied with aneurysms and 5 fenestrations were complicated by arteriovenous malformations. Transient cerebral ischemia occurred in 37 cases with fenestrations, and ischemic symptoms were consistent with the blood supply region of the fenestration structures. Among the 37 cases , cerebral infarction at the distal region of the fenestration characteristics of the cerebral fenestrations is of great clinical significance for its diagnosis and for the selection of therapeutic scheme.

Objective To evaluate risk factors of restenosis of vertebral artery origin after stenting.Methods A total of 144 continuous cases were collected for this retrospective analysis.More than 50％ of stenosis in the original sites after treatment was defined as restenosis.Patients were divided into restenosis group (39 patients) and none-restenosis group (105 patients).The risk factors associated with restenosis were compared between the two groups by Chi-square test,including sex,age,presence of hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease,hyperlipidemia,smoking and drinking,the difference of preoperative neurological symptoms,combination with other vessels,stenosis,as well as stent type and stent size.Logistic regression was used to test the risk factors for restenosis.Results The incidence of restenosis of vertebral artery origin after stenting was 26.4％,and all of them occurred in 5 months.Between the two groups,there was no significant difference of distribution of sex (male 89,female 34,x2 =0.804,P =0.370),age(60 vs 21 patients of more than 60 years old,x2 =2.358,P =0.125),hypertension (67 vs 28 patients,x2 =0.253,P =0.615),diabetes (27 vs 9 patients,x2 =0.914,P =0.91),hyperlipidemia (6 vs 5 patients,x2 =0.478,P =0.489),coronary heart disease(32 vs 6 patients,x2 =2.489,P =0.115),smoking (50 vs 24 patients,x2 =0.129,P =0.719),drinking(20 vs 13 patients,x2 =0.001,P =0.978),diameter of stents (53 vs 18 patients of more than 4 mm,x2 =0.213,P =0.645),length of stents (45 vs 19 patients of more than 15 mm,x2 =0.927,P =0.336),preoperative neurological symptoms (93 vs 29 patients,x2 =0.250,P =0.617).There was significant difference of factors including combination with the bilateral stenosis (43 vs 24 patients,x2 =4.844,P =0.028),combination with the internal carotid artery stenosis(49 vs 26 patients,x2 =4.558,P =0.033) and stent types(59 vs 11 patients of drug eluting stent,x2 =8.916,P =0.003) between the two groups.Bare stents and combination with internal carotid artery stenosis were independent risk factors for restenosis by logistic regression.Conclusions The incidence of restenosis with vertebral artery origin occurs in 5 months after surgery.Bare stents and combination with internal carotid artery stenosis increased the incidence of restenosis,and preoperative neurological symptoms of vertebrobasilar system and presence of the bilateral stenosis may induce restenosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of carotid angioplasty and stenting for carotid stenosis in high-risk symptomatic NASCET-ineligible patients. Methods Twenty patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis at high risk ineligible for NASCET were treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting,12 of them were men,and 8 wre women,the patients ranged in age from 62 to76 years (mean age,69 years). Eleven patients had transient ischemic attack and 9 had cerebral infarction. Digital subtraction angiography showed that the degree of carotid stenosis in all patients was ＞ 70% (NASCET criteria). Among them,9 patients had unilateral carotid artery severe stenosis (2 had restenosis after endarterectomy),6 had bilateral carotid artery severe stenosis,5 had unilateral carotid artery occlusion with contralateral severe sentoses (1 had undergone cervical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma). The embolic protection devices,predilation,and self-expandable stents were used in all patients. Results The success rate of the procedure was 100%. The residual stenosis rate was ＜ 30%. The different levels of a transient decline in heart rates and blood pressure occurred in all the patients during the procedure. One patient was complicated with microembolic embolism. No ischemic stroke occurred in the remaining patients in the periprocedure. The postoperative examination with carotid ultrasound showed that the stenoses were improved significantly. No ipsilateral ischemic stroke and coronary ischemic events were observed at 1 and 3 months follow-up after the procedures. Conclusions Carotid artery stenting is less invasive,and the perioperative complications are fewer,The treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis with high surgical risks is safe and effective.

Objective To discuss the skills and effects of several endovascular mechanical techniques for the recanalization of subclavian artery total occlusion. Methods Endovascular mechanical recanalization of subclavian artery total occlusion was performed in 32 patients with symptomatic subclavian artery total occlusion. The re-open rate and the therapeutic results were observed and analyzed. Results Several endovascular mechanical techniques, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, were employed in treating 32 patients with subclavian artery total occlusion. After the procedure, the ischemic 8ymptoms of posterior circulation and/or upper extremity were markedly relieved. Conclusion It is safe and feasible using appropriate endovascular mechanical technique for re-canalizing the occluded subclavian artery.

n The intra-arterial thrembolysis could improved the prognosis of basilar artery occlusion.

To investigate the relationship between severity of cerebrovascular atherosclerosis stenosis and that of coronary atherosclerosis stenosis.Methods Cerebral angiography and coronary angiography were performed in 34 patients who had coronary disease with cerebral ischemia.Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the degree ofstenosis on angiography,concomitant diseases,risk factors and biochemical data.Results The follow-up study showed that the incidence of cardiac and cerebrovascular death increased significantly in patients with moderate to severe stenosis of coronary and cerebral arteries;the severity of stenosis in the coronary artery parallels that in the solitary carotid artery,or dual carotid and vertebral arteries.Conclusions Patients with coronary and cerebral artery stenosis,especially those with multi-risk factors,such as hypertension,diabetes and cigarette smoking,should receive intensive treatment to reduce cardiac and cerebrovascular events.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:227-229)

Carotid artery stenosis is the main cause for transient ischemic attack(TIA)and cerebral ischemic stroke. Carotid artery stenting(CAS)therapy has provided a new approach for carotid artery stenosis with safety of causing slight wound and less complication. It also gives opportunities to the patients with contraindication to carotid artery endarterectomy(CAE). There is similar tendency between CAS and CAE involving the secondary prevention of stroke in experiments. The safety and efficacy of the stenting depend on the normative operation and complete evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics and functions before hand. With application of the technique of preventive filter devices and progressing preventive technology against restenosis, the interventional therapy is going to play a more important role in the therapy of carotid stenosis.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience of minimally invasive treatment in 520 patients with intracranial aneurysms on a retrospective study.

METHODSThe measures used in the treatment of 520 patients were reviewed in terms of timing of surgery, induced-hypotensive anesthesia, brain protection combined with temporal occlusion of the feeding artery, external drainage of CSF, dynamic monitoring of intracranial pressure, blood flow velocity, serum osmolality and CT scanning, anti-vasospasm therapy as well as selected interventional endovascular embolization of aneurysms.

RESULTSOf the 520 patients, 485 were treated with either direct clipping or endovascular embolization and 35 patients were treated non-surgically. In 449 patients undergoing direct clipping and 36 undergoing endovascular embolization, intraoperative rupture of aneurysm occurred in 27 (6.0%) and 0%, respectively. Death occurred in 13 (2.6%), hemiplegia in 8 (1.6%), and vegetative state in 2 (0.4%). The operative mortality of direct clipping was 3.8% in 210 patients before 1990 and 1.8% in 275 patients after 1990 (36 patients undergoing endovascular embolization, the operative mortality was 0%).

CONCLUSIONThe outcome of patients with intacranial aneurysms can be markedly improved and the operative mortality can be lowered by minimally invasive treatment.

Adult ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; mortality ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; mortality ; surgery ; Intraoperative Complications ; mortality ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of stent-assistant angioplasty for intracranial vascular diseases.

METHODSThirteen patients with intracranial vascular diseases were treated consecutively by stent-assistant angioplasty for different purposes. Of these patients 7 had symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis, 3 intracranial wide-neck aneurysms, 2 intracranial pseudoaneurysms, and 1 bilateral transverse sinus stenosis. Clinical procedures and technical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSIn the 7 patients, the degree of intracranial artery stenosis reduced from 83% to 5%. Three months after the operation they exhibited good patency of stented lesions. Intracranial wide neck aneurysms (with 2 pseudoaneurysms) were successfully embolized with GDC in 5 patients. The patients with bilateral transverse sinus stenosis were implanted a self-expanded stent in the right transverse sinus. One patient failed because of the tortuous configuration of the left jugular bulb, but the patient's symptoms were improved quickly after the procedure.

CONCLUSIONStent-assistant angioplasty is a useful technique for selected intracranial vascular diseases, and it needs further investigation.

Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the mechanism,prevention and prognosis of complications after stent angioplasty in the treatment of carotic artery stenosis. Methods[WT5”BZ] From 1997 to 2003,312 cases of carotid artery stenosis were treated by transluminal stent-assistant angioplasty. Results Procedure-related complication developed in 23 cases including 19 cases of transient mild complications such as transient arrhythmia and hypotension in 10 cases (3.2%) during deploying stent or balloon dilation,transient cerebral ischemia symptoms in 6 cases after balloon dilation,hypotension in 3 cases after the procedure. Severe complications occurred in 4 cases after the procedure,including embolus detachment,stent migration,carotic artery occlusion and fatal cerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion Although stent-assistant angioplasty are effective for treatment of carotid artery stenosis,severe complications could develop.