Department of SurgeryQueen Elizabeth Hospital

Dr Cheng Mina

Questions to answerWho

Who deserves urgent referral?Who needs operation?

WhenWhen to intervene?

WhatWhat to do?

Carotid symptomsHemimotor / hemisensory signsTransient monocular visual loss (Amaurosis fugax)

AsymptomaticCarotid bruitNo evidence that presence or absence of bruit or quality of

bruit correlate with degree of stenosis

J.H. Hammond, R.P. Eisinger: Carotid bruits in 1000 normal subjects. Arch Intern Med. 109, 1962, 563, 5.P.A. Wolf, W.B. Kannel, P. Sorlie, et al.: Asymptomatic carotid bruit and risk of stroke: the Framingham Study.

JAMA. 245, 1981, 1442, 5.

Who deserves urgent referral Risk of stroke after a TIA only 1–2% at 7 days

and 2–4% at 30 daysM.F. Giles, P.M. Rothwell: The need for emergency treatment of transient

ischaemic attack and minor stroke. Expert Rev Neurother. 5, 2005, 203, 10.Naylor: Time is brain. The Surgeon. 5, 2007, 23–30.

Evidence suggests that these data dangerously underestimate the true riskP.M. Rothwell, C.P. Warlow: Timing of TIAS preceding stroke: time window for prevention is

very short. Neurology. 64, 2005, 817, 20.PubMedM.F. Giles, P.M. Rothwell: Risk of stroke early after transient ischaemic attack: a systematic

review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 6, 2007, 1063, 72.

Who deserves urgent referral Review of 10126 patientsAfter TIA 2 day stroke risk 3.1% 7 day stroke risk 5.2%

ABCD system to predict the 7-day stroke risk after TIA (Max score 6)

A Age > 6oB SBP > 140mmHg C Clinical features ( weakness, speech disturbance)D Duration (< 10 min, 10-59 min, >60 min)

7-day stroke risk <3 -> 0% 4 -> 2% 5 -> 16% 6-> 35%

P.M. Rothwell, M.F. Giles, E. Flossman, et al.: A simple score (ABCD) to identify individuals at high early risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack. Lancet. 366, 2005, 29–36

Who deserves urgent referralUK Department of Health’s National Stroke

Strategy November 2007 Carotid imaging <24 hours after TIA if ABCD

score ≥4

The National Stroke Strategy; www.dh.gov.uk/stroke.

Duplex USGCombination of B mode real-time imaging and waveform analysis by pulsed wave dopplerIdentifies up to 95% of carotid lesionsSensitivity 89% for 70-99% stenosisNon-invasiveOperator dependentSociety of Radiologists in USG Consensus ConferenceUSG criteria for degree of stenosisBased on the North American Symptomatic Carotid

Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) measurement methodICA PSV, ICA EDV, plaque estimate, ICA/CCA PSV ratio

Grant EG, Benson CB, Moneta GL et al. Carotid artery stenosis: gray-scale and Doppler US diagnosis– Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus Conference. Radiology 2003; 229:340–6.

3 methods to measure ICA stenosis NASCET ECSTCommon carotid

method“Gold standard” Catheter angiography

stroke/death risk 1.5%Not routine work up

nowadays

Contrast enhanced MRASensitivity 95% and specificity 79%

for 70–99% stenosesSensitivity 100% if combined with

USGNon-invasiveGadolinium causes nephrogenic

systemic fibrosis in 3-5% of patients with renal impairment

I. Borisch, M. Horn, B. Butz, et al.: Preoperative evaluation of carotid artery stenosis: comparison of contrast-enhanced MR angiography and duplex sonography with

digital subtraction angiography. Am J Neuroradiol. 24, 2003, 1117, 22.D.C. Johnston, J.D. Eastwood, T. Nguyen, et al.: Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiogrophy of carotid arteries. Utility in routine clinical practice.

Stroke. 33, 2002, 2834, 8.

Best medical treatmentBP < 140/90 mmHgDM controlSmoking cessationAvoid heavy consumption of alcoholRegular physical activityLow salt, low saturated fat, high fruit and

vegetable diet rich in fibreReduce weight if BMI elevated

The European Stroke Initiative Executive Committee and the EUSI Writing Committee: European Stroke Initiative recommendations for stroke management – Update 2003. Cerebrovasc Dis. 16, 2003, 311,

37.

Role of statin therapyThe British Heart Protection Study

20000 patients with angina, stroke/ TIA, DM or claudication 40 mg simvastatin daily25% RRR in any major coronary event, stroke and need of

revascularization at 5 yearsIrrespective of age, gender or cholesterol level

Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group: MRC/BHF Heart Protection Study of cholesterol lowering with simvastatin in 20536 high-risk individuals: a randomised placebo controlled trial. Lancet. 360, 2002, 7–22.

European Stroke InitiativeAll patients (symptomatic/ asymptomatic) should take statinThe European Stroke Initiative Executive Committee and the EUSI Writing Committee: European Stroke Initiative

recommendations for stroke management – Update 2003. Cerebrovasc Dis. 16, 2003, 311, 37.

Antiplatelet agentsAspirin is the first line agentReduces long term risk of stroke by 25%Low dose is good enough (80 to 325 mg daily)Clopidogrel(Plavix) 75 mg is the second line agent

Antiplatelet Trialists Collaboration: Secondary prevention of vascular disease by prolonged anti-platelet treatment.

Br Med J. 296, 1988, 320, 31.

NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence)Combination of aspirin and dipyridamole (Persantin)

for 3 years in stroke/TIA patients on conservative treatment

Only aspirin after 3 years or after CEANICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 90: In Vascular disease –

clopidogrel and dipyridamole: quick reference guide. 2005, 25 May.

Who needs operation CEASymptomaticCarotid Endarterectomy Trialists Collaboration

(CETC)Combined data from 3 studies

ECST (European Carotid Surgery Trial)NASCET (North American Symptomatic Carotid

Endarterectomy Trial)VA (Veteran’s Affairs)

5 years outcomes, > 6000 patients

Carotid Endarterectomy Trialists Collaboration: P.M. Rothwell, M. Eliasziw, S.A. Gutnikov, et al.: Analysis of pooled data from the randomised controlled trials of endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis. for the Lancet.

361, 2003, 107, 16.Carotid Endarterectomy Trialists Collaboration: P.M. Rothwell, M. Eliasziw, S.A. Gutnikov, et al.: Endarterectomy for

symptomatic carotid stenosis in relation to clinical subgroups and timing of surgery. for the Lancet. 363, 2004, 915, 24.

P.M. Rothwell, M. Eliasziw, S.A. Gutnikov, et al.: Sex difference in the effect of time from symptoms to surgery on benefit from carotid endarterectomy for transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke. Stroke. 35, 2004, 2855, 61.

Stenosis

5-year riskSurgery

5-year riskMedical

ARR RRR NNT Strokes prevented per 1000 CEAs at 5 years

<30% 18.36% 15.71% -2.6% / / None30-49% 22.80% 25.45% +2.6% 10% 38 2650-69% 20.00% 27.77% +7.8% 28% 13 7870-99% 17.13% 32.71% +15.6% 48% 6 156String 22.40% 22.30% -0.1% / / None

CEA is not indicated in symptomatic patients with <50% stenosis/ string sign

When to intervene

• Maximum risk of stroke is within first 7 to 14 days• Maximum benefit to prevent stroke if < 2 weeks

Coull AJ, Lovett JK, Rothwell PM. Population based study of early risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke: implications for public education and organization of services. Br Med J 2004; 328:326–8.

Naylor AR. Time is brain! The Surgeon 2007; 5:23–30.

Effect of delay to CEA on 5 year prevention of ipsilateral stroke

< 2 weeks 2 to 4 weeks

4 to 12 weeks

>12 weeks

ARR by CEA at 5 years

18.5%

9.8% 5.5% 0.8%

NNT 5

10 18

125

Strokes prevented per 1000 CEA

185 98 55 8

Unnecessary procedure

815 902 945 992Reanalysis of CETC data in patients with NASCET 50–99% stenoses (i.e. ECST 70–99%) undergoing CEA

Delay to surgery concept • Early CEA is associated with procedural risk

• Retrospective review of 1046 symptomatic patients undergoing CEA in New York

• 30 day stroke/death risk • 5.1% <4 weeks 1.6 % >4 weeks

C.B. Rockman, T. Maldonado, G.R. Jacobowitz, et al.: Early endarterectomy in symptomatic patients is associated with poorer perioperative outcomes. J Vasc Surg. 44, 2006, 480, 7.

CETC suggests that even if a surgeon operated <2 weeks with a 10% procedural risk, he/she was likely to prevent more strokes than by waiting >12 weeks and then operating with a 0% risk

Asymptomatic carotid stenosis5 to 10% population >65 years 12% with PVD25% with HT

Prophylactic surgery to prevent stroke

Two important studies ACAS Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study 1995ACST Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial 2004

ACAS 1995/ ACST 2004ACAS, 1662 patientsCEA can reduce ipsilateral strokeCriticism:

30 day death/stroke only 2.3% (i.e. not generalizable)

No benefit in womenCEA did not prevent disabling stroke

ACST, 3120 patientsCEA significantly reduced risk of fatal and disabling

strokeSignificant benefit only in patients <75 years

ARR NNT 30 day stroke

Number of stroke prevented at 5 year per 1000 CEA

NASCET 70 to 99%

17% 5.9 5.4% (1.1% death)

170

ACAS70 to 99%

5% 20 2.3% 50

ACST70 t0 99%

5.3% 19 2.8% 53

CEA or carotid stenting?CAVATAS, SPACE, EVA-3S, ICSS

Widely criticizedE.g. No EPD or not mandatory, no lead-in phase

CREST (Stenting versus Endarterectomy for Treatment of Carotid Artery Stenosis) 20102522 patients from 2000 to 2008 in USABoth symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid

stenosisSingle carotid stent with EPD systemLead-in phase

CEA or carotid stenting?CREST

No significant difference in stroke + MI + death during perioperative period (CAS 5.2%, CEA 4.5%; P = 0.38) and after 4 years (CAS 7.2%, CEA 6.8%; P = 0.51)

More perioperative stroke in CAS group (CAS 4.1%, CEA 2.3%; P = 0.01)

More perioperative MI in CEA group(CAS 1.1%, CEA 2.3%; P = 0.03)

Similar 4-year ipsilateral stroke rate (CAS 2%, CEA 2.4%; P = 0.85)

Younger patients CAS better, older patients CEA better

Individualized treatmentFor CAS

Previous neck surgeryPrevious neck irradiationContralateral vocal cord

palsyRestenosis after CEAHigh carotid bifurcation

(above C2)Extension of plaque to

intracranial ICA/ proximal CCA below clavicle

For CEA

Poor femoral vessel for access

Heavily calcified or angulated aortic arch

Heavily calcified or markedly tortuous carotid artery

ConclusionWho

Who deserves urgent referral? Who needs operation?

WhenWhen to intervene?

WhatWhat to do?

ConclusionWho

Who deserves urgent referral? ABCD scoreWho needs operation?

WhenWhen to intervene?

WhatWhat to do?

ConclusionWho

Who deserves urgent referral? ABCD scoreWho needs operation? Symptomatic 70-99% +/- Symptomatic 50-69%, Asymptomatic 70-99%

WhenWhen to intervene?

WhatWhat to do?

ConclusionWho

Who deserves urgent referral? ABCD scoreWho needs operation? Symptomatic 70-99% +/- Symptomatic 50-69%, Asymptomatic 70-99%

WhenWhen to intervene? < 2 weeks

WhatWhat to do?

ConclusionWho

Who deserves urgent referral? ABCD scoreWho needs operation? Symptomatic 70-99% +/- Symptomatic 50-69%, Asymptomatic 70-99%

WhenWhen to intervene? < 2 weeks

WhatWhat to do? Individualized treatment

Thank You

Stroke Commonest cause of death after CAD and cancerAcute loss of focal cerebral function >24 hrs with

vascular cause80% ischaemic20% haemorrhagic (intracerebral/ subarachnoid)80% of ischaemic stroke affect carotid territory

Aetiology of carotid territory infarction

Thromboembolism from ICA 50%Small vessel disease 25%Cardiac brain embolism 15%Haematological disease 5%Non-atheromatous disease 5%

Dennis MS, Bamford JM, Sandercock PAG et al. Incidence of transient ischaemic attacks in Oxfordshire, England. Stroke

1989; 20:333–9.

Thromboembolism from ICAMiddle cerebral vessel territoryAtherosclerotic plaque formationStenosis at ICA originAcute disruption of plaqueRupture, ulceration, intraplaque haemorrhage Exposure of inner core of thrombogenic

subendothelial collagenThrombus formation

Asymptomatic carotid stenosisCarotid bruit4% over 45 years old, 12% over 60 years old70% symptomatic ICA stenosis of 70 to 90% 40% symptomatic ICA stenosis of 90 to 99%30% ICA occlusion No evidence that presence or absence of bruit or

quality of bruit correlate with degree of stenosisBruit not due to ICA disease

Systolic cardiac murmurs, bruit from vertebral and ECA

J.H. Hammond, R.P. Eisinger: Carotid bruits in 1000 normal subjects. Arch Intern Med. 109, 1962, 563, 5.P.A. Wolf, W.B. Kannel, P. Sorlie, et al.: Asymptomatic carotid bruit and risk of stroke: the Framingham

Study. JAMA. 245, 1981, 1442, 5.

Carotid symptomsHemimotor / hemisensory signsTransient monocular visual loss (Amaurosis fugax)

DDX: epilepsy, brain tumour/ aneurysm, hypoglycemia, migraine

TIA precipitated by hot bath, heavy meal and exercise -> Significant carotid stenosis should be suspected

Guidelines for imaging The National Guideline for Stroke 2004

Duplex finding confirmed with MRA before operation

Or Second duplex if conservative treatment offeredJ.M. Wardlaw, F.M. Chappell, M. Stevenson, et al.: Accurate, practical and cost-effective

assessment of carotid stenosis in the UK. Health Technol Assess. 10, 2006, 1–182, iii–iv, ix–x.

The Society of Radiologists in USG ConsensusAll vascular laboratories should have a system for

quality assuranceNASCET measurement is mandatory

V. Vidak, A. Hebrang, B. Brkljacic, et al.: Stenotic occlusive lesions of internal carotid artery in diabetic patients. Coll Antropol. 31, 2007, 775, 80.