Cerebral haemodynamics in internal carotid artery trial occlusion

The purpose of this study was to analyse the cerebral haemodynamic changes brought about by trial occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Sixteen patients with surgically inaccessible cerebral aneurysms, carotid cavernous fistulas or neck neoplasms were monitored with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) during 90-120 s angiographic ICA balloon occlusion or ICA closure with a Selverstone clamp. The blood velocity (V) was registered continuously in both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) while the pulsatility index (PIMCA) and haemodynamic tension (Uhem MCA) were calculated. ICA closure led to an instantaneous drop in the ipsilateral VMCA, PIMCA and Uhem MCA. The VMCA thereafter increased gradually until reaching a stable level. The subjects were grouped into those with initial drops in VMCA to > or = 60% of pre-occlusion value (group 1) and those that fell to < 60% (group 2), respectively. In group 1 autoregulatory mechanisms made the PIMCA decline further, while the Uhem MCA remained unaltered during ICA closure. In group 2, however, the PIMCA did not change further, while the Uhem MCA increased slightly. The cerebral haemodynamic features during ICA test occlusion were thus essentially different in the two groups. On re-opening the ICA, there was an overshoot in VMCA and Uhem MCA. Contralaterally, the VMCA was increased during ICA occlusion. Seven of the patients later had their ICA closed permanently. While none of five group 1 patients developed haemodynamic complications, two group 2 individuals experienced haemodynamic stroke. Assuming ICA sacrifice is feasible when test occlusion results in an ipsilateral initial reduction in VMCA to > or = 60% of pre-occlusion value, the corresponding limit for the Uhem MCA is > or = 40%. In the pre-operative evaluation of the haemodynamic risk related to ICA loss, TCD emerges as a reliable method. It also seems to allow for the reduction of test occlusion time to 90-120 s.     

Reflection in the systemic arterial system: effects of aortic and carotid occlusion

Experiments were performed in seven closed-chest anaesthetized male dogs to determine the role of pulse wave reflection in the pattern of flow and pressure in the ascending aorta. Ten days after implantation of an electromagnetic flow transducer around the ascending aorta a balloon catheter was placed in the descending aorta via the femoral arteries. At the same time a tip manometer was introduced into the ascending aorta. Aortic occlusions at three different sites caused pressure pulses with secondary systolic rises and flow pulses with biphasic deceleration. Secondary rises occurred 45 +/- 9.0 ms after the initial pressure rise for high aortic occlusion; this time was 75 +/- 8.5 ms for occlusion at the level of the diaphragm and 114 +/- 16.5 ms for occlusion near the level of the renal arteries. These times approximate the times in which the pulse travels from the tip manometer to the inflated balloons and back. Forward and reflected pressure and flow waves were calculated from reflection coefficients. Aortic occlusion caused larger reflected waves and the recorded wave forms were caused by the summation of forward and backward waves, the latter contributing the secondary pressure rise and the increased flow deceleration. Occlusion of both carotid arteries showed no specific reflection site but reflected waves were larger. This increased reflection can probably be explained as the result of greater total reflection from distributed sites under increased peripheral resistance.     

Bilateral optic disk pallor after unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion

Bilateral pallor of the optic disks was observed in a 52-year-old man after dissection of an internal carotid artery. Diffuse pallor of the ipsilateral optic disk reflected infarction of the ipsilateral optic nerve and "bow-tie" atrophy of the contralateral optic disk reflected infarction of the ipsilateral optic tract. The findings were due to an occlusion of the internal carotid artery proximal to the origin of the ophthalmic artery, resulting also in insufficiency in the area of supply of the anterior choroidal artery.     

Asymptomatic angiographic occlusion of the internal carotid artery: an indication for emergency endarterectomy

A 56-year-old man had retinal artery embolization from a carotid artery atheroma. Complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery occurred during cerebral angiography, but the patient developed no acute symptoms of cerebral ischemia. The patient immediately underwent emergency carotid endarterectomy which he tolerated well, and follow-up angiography nine days later demonstrated continued patency. The patient has remained neurologically unchanged.     

Thrombolytic therapy in acute occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid artery bifurcation

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and clinical benefit of early thrombolytic therapy in intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (mean age, 56 years) with acute intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion were studied clinically and with CT and angiography before and after thrombolytic therapy with intravenous alteplase (n = 16), superselective intraarterial alteplase (n = 8), and superselective intraarterial urokinase (n = 8). RESULTS: Initial CT showed a large parenchymal hypodensity in 11 (34%) patients, a small hypodensity in 15 (47%) patients, and no hypodensity in 6 (19%) patients. Recanalization after thrombolytic therapy was observed in 4 patients (12.5% in each treatment group). Follow-up CT showed six hemorrhagic infarcts and four parenchymal hematomas unrelated to recanalization, alteplase, or urokinase administration, but commonly associated with intraarterial treatment. Clinical outcome was fatal in 53%, poor in 31%, and moderate or good in 16% of the patients. Outcome was equal in different treatment groups and closely linked to both the quality of leptomeningeal collaterals and the extent of parenchymal hypodensity on the first CT. CONCLUSION: Because intravenous or intraarterial treatment with alteplase or urokinase fails to recanalize the vascular obstruction, it does not improve the prognosis of intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion over that of the natural course. Improved results may be possible with novel recanalization techniques.     

Varying impact of common carotid artery digital compression and internal carotid artery balloon test occlusion on cerebral hemodynamics

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the cerebral hemodynamic changes brought about by common carotid artery (CCA) digital compression and angiographic internal carotid artery (ICA) balloon occlusion. METHODS: Bilateral transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring of the middle cerebral artery blood velocity (VMCA) was performed in 12 subjects with neck neoplasms or traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas. The MCA pulsatility index (PIMCA) and hemodynamic tension (Uhem MCA) were calculated. RESULTS: Common carotid artery compression provoked the largest drop in ipsilateral VMCA, PIMCA, and Uhem MCA. Common carotid artery compression caused a steal of blood from the intra- to the extracranial circulation, with the discrepancy in hemodynamic findings between CCA and ICA test occlusions being dependent on the quantity of reversed ipsilateral ICA blood flow. CONCLUSION: If the carotid artery is to be sacrificed, permanent ICA closure is the procedure of choice with respect to the occurrence of cerebral ischemic lesions in patients with neck neoplasms and ICA flow reversal during CCA compression.     

Cerebral blood flow response pattern during balloon test occlusion of the internal carotid artery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk of temporary or permanent internal carotid artery occlusion. METHODS: In 156 patients intraarterial balloon test occlusion in combination with a stable xenon-enhanced CT cerebral blood flow study was performed before radiologic or surgical treatment. All 156 patients passed the clinical balloon test occlusion and underwent a xenon study in combination with a second balloon test. Quantitative flow data were analyzed for absolute changes as well as changes in symmetry. RESULTS: Fourteen patients exhibited reduced flow values between 20 and 30 mL/100 g per minute, an absolute decrease in flow, and significant asymmetry in the middle cerebral artery territory during balloon test occlusion. These patients would be considered at high risk for cerebral infarction if internal carotid artery occlusion were to be performed. With one exception they belonged to a group (class I) of 61 patients who showed bilateral or ipsilateral flow decrease and significant asymmetry with lower flow on the side of occlusion. The other 95 patients, who showed a variety of cerebral blood flow response patterns including ipsilateral or bilateral flow increase, were at moderate (class II) or low (class III) stroke risk. In contrast to these findings, exclusively qualitative flow analysis failed to identify the patients at high risk: a threshold with an asymmetry index of 10% revealed only 16% specificity whereas an asymmetry index of 45% showed only 61% sensitivity for detection of low flow areas (< 30 mL/100 g per minute). CONCLUSION: For achieving a minimal hemodynamic related-stroke rate associated with permanent clinical internal carotid artery occlusion we suggest integration of a thorough analysis of quantitative cerebral blood flow data before and during balloon test occlusion.     

Endovascular treatment of acute thrombotic occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery associated with embolic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery: case report

A 68-year-old man with acute, total thrombotic occlusion of the right cervical internal carotid artery, associated with embolic occlusion of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery, was treated by the endovascular approach, i.e., intra-arterial fibrinolysis and balloon angioplasty. Endovascular treatment for a totally occluded internal carotid artery is indicated in the very early stage where there is no thrombus or a short thrombus that can be evacuated. Fibrinolysis of the associated embolus in the middle cerebral artery, if any, can be done in the same session, enabling an early restoration of the blood flow.     

Aesthetic considerations in endodontics: internal bleaching

During endodontic treatment of any tooth, aesthetics must be considered in the same manner as during any other dental treatment. The most common aesthetic challenge associated with endodontics is the discoloration of natural tooth structure. The discoloration may be a result of pulp pathosis, especially pulpal hemorrhage prior to or during treatment, or it may be due to various endodontic and restorative materials placed in the pulp chamber. There are several simple measures that can be utilized during and following endodontic treatment to eliminate or reduce aesthetic deficiency. The learning objective of this article is to discuss internal bleaching of discolored pulpless teeth that have been endodontically treated. The discussion includes the chemical composition of bleaching agents and principles by which they function during the bleaching procedures.     

Prospective study of carotid endarterectomy and contralateral carotid occlusion

A total of 700 patients who had carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the UK and Ireland during a 6-month interval between March and August 1994 were studied prospectively. Some 108 patients (15.4 per cent) had a contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Previous reports have shown an associated stroke rate of about 10 per cent in these patients. This study assessed complications and outcome for patients undergoing CEA with contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion compared with those without. The indications for surgery were comparable between the two groups although the patients with occlusion had a slightly higher incidence of arrhythmia and stroke. Intraoperative shunts were used in a significantly higher proportion of those with occlusion (83.3 versus 64.7 per cent, P = 0.0001). The combined death and stroke rate for patients with occlusion was 5.6 per cent compared with 2.4 per cent for the remainder (P not significant). On the basis of the present data, CEA with a contralateral carotid artery occlusion carries only a slight increase in the rate of postoperative stroke and death. This increase was not statistically significant and is lower than that reported previously.     

Predicting hemodynamic ischemia by transcranial Doppler monitoring during therapeutic balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery

PURPOSE: Our objective was to evaluate the sensitivity of transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonographic monitoring during permanent balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in predicting hemodynamic ischemia. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients underwent controlled therapeutic balloon occlusion of the ICA. Selection criteria included assessment of the circle of Willis by compression angiography, clinical tolerance during a 20-minute test occlusion, and TCD monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery. The mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) (n = 32) and pulsatility index (PI) (n = 28) were recorded. In 25 patients, MBFV changes upon motor stimulation were recorded before and after ICA occlusion. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (88%) of the patients had no complications. Three patients suffered delayed symptoms 30 minutes to 20 hours after balloon detachment. Two of these patients recovered spontaneously within 1 day, the other improved after extracranial/intracranial (EC/IC) bypass surgery. One patient, who did not tolerate the test occlusion, suffered a hemodynamic stroke despite EC/IC bypass before permanent balloon occlusion. No embolic complications occurred. The mean MBFV reduction was 20% (range, 0% to 55%); the mean PI reduction was 20% (range, 0% to 56%). No complications occurred in patients who had mild MBFV and PI reduction (30% or less, n = 21). All three patients with severe MBFV or PI reduction (> 50%) had neurologic symptoms. Among those with moderate MBFV or PI reduction (30% to 50%, n = 8), symptoms developed in only one patient who had moderate reduction of both MBFV (33%) and PI (38%). Motor vasoreactivity showed wide variation and was markedly reduced in two symptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: TCD monitoring reflects changes in cerebral hemodynamics after therapeutic balloon occlusion of the ICA. MBFV and PI reductions under 30% are highly predictive of clinical tolerance. A reduction of more than 50% may be a critical threshold for the occurrence of symptoms; in such cases, EC/IC bypass should be considered before proceeding with permanent balloon occlusion.     

Autopsy case with diagnosis of nephrogenic hepatic dysfunction syndrome associated with internal carotid artery occlusion]

Sural nerve biopsy was performed in twenty-four diabetic patients, with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of diabetic neuropathy. Material from an autopsy case was also examined. Vessels plugged with fibrin were seen within nerve in nine cases. In three cases fibrin was observed tracking into the vessel wall and in four, older thrombus was observed in vessels. Areas of necrosis in nerve bundles were seen in two of the latter. In two patients there had been a preceding episode of intravascular coagulation. Fibrin deposition within small vessels could well play a part in damaging the diabetic nerve and a disturbance of the balance between deposition and removal by fibrinolysis could explain phasic variation in the symptoms of neuropathy.     

Differentiation of gray matter and white matter perfusion in patients with unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion

In this study, we investigated differences between gray matter and white matter perfusion in patients with a unilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) with dynamic susceptibility contrast. Seventeen patients and 17 control subjects were studied, using T2*-weighted gradient echo acquisition. Gray and white matter regions were obtained by segmentation of inversion recovery MRI. Lesions were excluded by segmentation of T2-weighted MRI. In the symptomatic hemisphere, cerebral blood volume was increased in white matter (P < .05) but not in gray matter. No cerebral blood flow changes were found. All timing parameters (mean transit time [MTT], time of appearance, and time to peak) showed a significant delay for both white and gray matter (P < .05), but the MTT increase of white matter was significantly larger than for gray matter (P < .05). These findings indicate that differentiation between gray and white matter is essential to determine the hemodynamic effects of an ICA occlusion.     

Unilateral asymptomatic carotid disease does not require surgery

If a stimulus (e.g. tone or light) is repeatedly pre-exposed without consequences, it subsequently shows retarded conditioning when paired with a reinforcer (e.g. footshock) compared with a non-pre-exposed stimulus. This is latent inhibition (LI). Haloperidol-treated animals show potentiated LI, and it has been suggested that this is due to retarded switching to respond according to the stimulus-reinforcer contingency. Recently, it has been argued that the slowed control of behaviour by the stimulus-reinforcement contingency is due to a haloperidol-induced decrease in the impact, or salience, of the reinforcer, and thus should be antagonized by increasing the impact of reinforcement. Two experiments tested this prediction. In both, LI was assessed using an off-baseline conditioned emotional response procedure in rats licking for water. In Experiment 1, rats were given 10 light pre-exposures and conditioned with two footshocks of either a low (0.5 mA) or a high (1 mA) intensity. In Experiment 2, rats were given 30 pre-exposures and conditioned with either two or five footshocks of 1 mA. In Experiment 1, no-drug controls did not show LI at both shock intensities. Haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg) was ineffective in potentiating LI at low-intensity shock, but produced LI when shock level was increased. In Experiment 2, no-drug controls showed LI with two but not five conditioning trials. Haloperidol was ineffective in potentiating LI with two conditioning trials, but produced LI with five conditioning trials. Although the effect of haloperidol on LI could thus be modified by manipulating shock intensity or the number of conditioning trials, the direction of such modification indicates that the potentiating effect of haloperidol on LI is not in general antagonized by increasing the impact of reinforcement.