Recent evidence from the Safety and Efficacy Study for Reverse Flow Used During Carotid Artery Stenting Procedure (ROADSTER) multicenter trial in high-risk patients undergoing transcarotid artery ...stenting with dynamic flow reversal reported the lowest stroke rate compared with any prospective trial of carotid artery stenting. However, clinical trials have selection criteria that exclude many patients from enrollment and are highly selective of operators performing the procedures, which limit generalizability. The aim of this study was to compare in-hospital outcomes after transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) and transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) as reported in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI).
The Society for Vascular Surgery VQI TCAR Surveillance Project (TSP) was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TCAR in real-world practice. Data from the initial 646 patients enrolled in the TSP from March 2016 to December 2017 were analyzed and compared with those of patients who underwent TFCAS between 2005 and 2017. Patients with tandem, traumatic, or dissection lesions were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression and 1:1 coarsened exact matching were used to analyze neurologic adverse events (stroke and transient ischemic attacks TIAs) and in-hospital mortality. Patients in the two procedures were matched on age, ethnicity, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, prior coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous coronary intervention, chronic kidney disease, degree of ipsilateral stenosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, symptomatic status, restenosis, anatomic and medical risk, and urgency of the procedure.
Compared with patients undergoing TFCAS (n = 10,136), those undergoing TCAR (n = 638) were significantly older, had more cardiac comorbidities, were more likely to be asymptomatic, and were less likely to have a recurrent stenosis. The rates of in-hospital TIA/stroke as well as of TIA/stroke/death were significantly higher in TFCAS compared with TCAR (3.3% vs 1.9% P = .04 and 3.8% vs 2.2% P = .04, respectively). In both procedures, symptomatic patients had higher rates of TIA/stroke/death compared with asymptomatic patients (TCAR, 3.7% vs 1.4% P = .06; TFCAS, 5.3% vs 2.7% P < .001). After multivariable adjustment, there was a trend of increased stroke or death rates in TFCAS compared with TCAR, but it was not statistically significant (2.5% vs 1.7%; P = .25; odds ratio, 1.75, 95% confidence interval, 0.85-3.62). However, TFCAS was associated with twice the odds of in-hospital adverse neurologic events and TIA/stroke/death compared with TCAR (odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-4.08; P = .03), independent of symptom status. Coarsened exact matching showed similar results.
Compared with patients undergoing TFCAS, patients undergoing TCAR had significantly more medical comorbidities but similar stroke/death rates and half the risk of in-hospital TIA/stroke/death. These results persisted despite rigorous adjustment and matching of potential confounders. This initial evaluation of the VQI TSP demonstrates the ability to rapidly monitor new devices and procedures using the VQI. Although it is preliminary, this is the first study to demonstrate the benefit of TCAR compared with TFCAS in real-world practice. These results need to be confirmed by a clinical trial.
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IMPORTANCE: Several trials have observed higher rates of perioperative stroke following transfemoral carotid artery stenting compared with carotid endarterectomy. Transcarotid artery ...revascularization with flow reversal was recently introduced for carotid stenting. This technique was developed to decrease stroke risk seen with the transfemoral approach; however, its outcomes, compared with transfemoral carotid artery stenting, are not well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes associated with transcarotid artery revascularization and transfemoral carotid artery stenting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Exploratory propensity score–matched analysis of prospectively collected data from the Vascular Quality Initiative Transcarotid Artery Surveillance Project and Carotid Stent Registry of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients in the United States and Canada undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization and transfemoral carotid artery stenting for carotid artery stenosis, from September 2016 to April 2019. The final date for follow-up was May 29, 2019. EXPOSURES: Transcarotid artery revascularization vs transfemoral carotid artery stenting. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Outcomes included a composite end point of in-hospital stroke or death, stroke, death, myocardial infarction, as well as ipsilateral stroke or death at 1 year. In-hospital stroke was defined as ipsilateral or contralateral, cortical or vertebrobasilar, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Death was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During the study period, 5251 patients underwent transcarotid artery revascularization and 6640 patients underwent transfemoral carotid artery stenting. After matching, 3286 pairs of patients who underwent transcarotid artery revascularization or transfemoral carotid artery stenting were identified (transcarotid approach: mean SD age, 71.7 9.8 years; 35.7% women; transfemoral approach: mean SD age, 71.6 9.3 years; 35.1% women). Transcarotid artery revascularization was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital stroke or death (1.6% vs 3.1%; absolute difference, −1.52% 95% CI, −2.29% to −0.75%; relative risk RR, 0.51 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.72; P < .001), stroke (1.3% vs 2.4%; absolute difference, −1.10% 95% CI, −1.79% to −0.41%; RR, 0.54 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.79; P = .001), and death (0.4% vs 1.0%; absolute difference, −0.55% 95% CI, −0.98% to −0.11%; RR, 0.44 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.82; P = .008). There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of perioperative myocardial infarction between the 2 cohorts (0.2% for transcarotid vs 0.3% for the transfemoral approach; absolute difference, −0.09% 95% CI, −0.37% to 0.19%; RR, 0.70 95% CI, 0.27 to 1.84; P = .47). At 1 year using Kaplan-Meier life-table estimation, the transcarotid approach was associated with a lower risk of ipsilateral stroke or death (5.1% vs 9.6%; hazard ratio, 0.52 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.66; P < .001). Transcarotid artery revascularization was associated with higher risk of access site complication resulting in interventional treatment (1.3% vs 0.8%; absolute difference, 0.52% 95% CI, −0.01% to 1.04%; RR, 1.63 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.61; P = .04), whereas transfemoral carotid artery stenting was associated with more radiation (median fluoroscopy time, 5 minutes interquartile range {IQR}, 3 to 7 vs 16 minutes IQR, 11 to 23; P < .001) and more contrast (median contrast used, 30 mL IQR, 20 to 45 vs 80 mL IQR, 55 to 122; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients undergoing treatment for carotid stenosis, transcarotid artery revascularization, compared with transfemoral carotid artery stenting, was significantly associated with a lower risk of stroke or death.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the outcomes of TransCarotid Artery Revascularization with flow reversal (TCAR) to the gold standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA) using data from the Society for Vascular Surgery ...Vascular Quality Initiative TCAR Surveillance Project.
SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:TCAR is a novel minimally invasive procedure for carotid revascularization in high-risk patients that is associated with significantly lower stroke rates compared with carotid artery stenting via the transfemoral approach.
METHODS:Patients in the United States and Canada who underwent TCAR and CEA for carotid artery stenosis (2016- 2019) were included. Propensity scores were calculated based on baseline clinical variables and used to match patients in the two treatment groups (n=6,384 each). The primary endpoint was the combined outcome of perioperative stroke and/or death.
RESULTS:No significant differences were observed between TCAR and CEA in terms of in-hospital stroke/death TCAR,1·6% vs.CEA,1·6%, RR (95% CI):1·01(0·77–1·33), P=·945, stroke 1·4% vs.1·4%, RR(95%CI):1·02(0·76–1·37), P=·881, or death 0·4% vs.0·3%, RR (95%CI):1·14 (0·64–2·02), P =·662. Compared to CEA, TCAR was associated with lower rates of in-hospital myocardial infarction 0·5% vs. 0·9%, RR (95%CI):0·53 (0·35–0·83), P =·005, cranial nerve injury 0·4% vs.2·7%, RR(95%CI):0·14(0·08–0·23), P<·001, and post-procedural hypertension 13% vs.18·8%, RR(95% CI):0·69(0·63–0·76), P <·001. They were also less likely to stay in the hospital for more than one day 26·4% vs.30·1%, RR (95%CI):0·88(0·82–0·94), P<·001. No significant interaction was observed between procedure and symptomatic status in predicting postoperative outcomes. At one year, the incidence of ipsilateral stroke or death was similar between the two groups HR (95%CI):1·09(0·87–1·36), P=·44.
CONCLUSIONS:This propensity-score matched analysis demonstrated significant reduction in the risk of postoperative myocardial infarction and cranial nerve injury after TCAR compared to CEA, with no differences in the rates of stroke/death.
Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a novel approach to carotid intervention that uses a direct carotid cut-down approach coupled with cerebral blood flow reversal to minimize embolic ...potential. The initial positive data with TCAR indicates that it may be an attractive alternative to trans-femoral carotid artery stenting and possibly carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for high-risk patients. The purpose of this study was to present 30-day and 1-year outcomes after treatment by TCAR and to compare these outcomes against a matched control group undergoing CEA at the same institutions.
A retrospective review of all patients who underwent TCAR at four institutions between 2013 and 2017 was performed to evaluate the use of the ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System (Silk Road Medical, Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif). TCAR patients had high-risk factors and were either enrolled in prospective trials or treated with a commercially available TCAR device after US Food and Drug Administration approval. Contemporaneous patients undergoing CEA at each institution were also reviewed. Patients were propensity matched in a 1:1 (CEA:TCAR) fashion with respect to preoperative comorbidities. Data were analyzed using statistical models with a P value of less than .05 considered significant. Individual and composite stroke, myocardial infarction, and death at 30 days and 1 year postoperatively were assessed.
Consecutive patients undergoing TCAR or CEA were identified (n = 663) and compared. Patients undergoing the TCAR procedure (n = 292) had higher rates of diabetes (P = .01), hyperlipidemia (P = .02), coronary artery disease (P < .01), and renal insufficiency (P < .01) compared with unmatched CEA patients (n = 371). Stroke rates were similar at 30 days (1.0% TCAR vs 1.1% CEA) and 1 year (2.8% TCAR vs 3.0% CEA) in the unmatched groups. After propensity matching by baseline characteristics including gender, age, symptom status (36.3%, 35.3%) and diabetes, 292 TCAR patients were compared with 292 CEA patients. TCAR patients were more likely to be treated preoperative and postoperatively with clopidogrel (preoperatively, 82.2% vs 39.4% P < .01; postoperatively, 98.3% vs 36.0% P < .01) and statins (preoperatively, 88.0% vs 75.0% P < .01; postoperatively, 97.8% vs 78.8% P < .01). Stroke (1.0% TCAR vs 0.3% CEA; P = .62) and death (0.3% TCAR vs 0.7% CEA; P = NS) rates were similar at 30 days and comparable at 1 year (stroke, 2.8% vs 2.2% P = .79; death 1.8% vs 4.5% P = .09). The composite end point of stroke/death/myocardial infarction at 1 month postoperatively was 2.1% vs 1.7% (P = NS). TCAR was associated with a decreased rate of cranial nerve injury (0.3% vs 3.8%; P = .01).
These early data suggest that patients undergoing TCAR, even those with high-risk comorbidities, achieve broadly similar outcomes compared with patients undergoing CEA while mitigating cranial nerve injury. Further comparative studies are warranted.
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Postoperative day-one discharge is used as a quality-of-care indicator after carotid revascularization. This study identifies predictors of prolonged length of stay (pLOS), defined as a ...postprocedural LOS of >1 day, after elective carotid revascularization.
Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA), transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), and transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) in the Vascular Quality Initiative between 2016 and 2022 were included in this analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of pLOS, defined as a postprocedural LOS of >1 day, after each procedure.
A total of 118,625 elective cases were included. pLOS was observed in nearly 23.2% of patients undergoing carotid revascularization. Major adverse events, including neurological, cardiac, infectious, and bleeding complications, occurred in 5.2% of patients and were the most significant contributor to pLOS after the three procedures. Age, female sex, non-White race, insurance status, high comorbidity index, prior ipsilateral CEA, non-ambulatory status, symptomatic presentation, surgeries occurring on Friday, and postoperative hypo- or hypertension were significantly associated with pLOS across all three procedures. For CEA, additional predictors included contralateral carotid artery occlusion, preoperative use of dual antiplatelets and anticoagulation, low physician volume (<11 cases/year), and drain use. For TCAR, preoperative anticoagulation use, low physician case volume (<6 cases/year), no protamine use, and post-stent dilatation intraoperatively were associated with pLOS. One-year analysis showed a significant association between pLOS and increased mortality for all three procedures; CEA (hazard ratio HR,1.64; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.49-1.82), TCAR (HR,1.56; 95% CI, 1.35-1.80), and TFCAS (HR, 1.33; 95%CI, 1.08-1.64) (all P < .05).
A postoperative LOS of more than 1 day is not uncommon after carotid revascularization. Procedure-related complications are the most common drivers of pLOS. Identifying patients who are risk for pLOS highlights quality improvement strategies that can optimize short and 1-year outcomes of patients undergoing carotid revascularization.
Blood pressure fluctuations are a common hemodynamic alteration following carotid artery stenting either with transfemoral (TFCAS) or transcarotid (TCAR) approach and are thought to be related to ...alteration in baroreceptor function due to angioplasty and stent expansion. These fluctuations are particularly worrisome in the high-risk patient population referred for CAS. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of patients who required the administration of intravenous blood pressure medication (IVBPmed) for hypotension or hypertension after CAS.
All patients undergoing carotid revascularization in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database between 2016 and 2021 were included. We compared outcomes of patients who required postoperative IVBPmed to treat hyper- or hypotension with normotensive patients. In-hospital outcomes were compared using multivariable logistic regression. One-year outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses.
We identified 38,510 patients undergoing CAS (57.7% TCAR and 42.3% TFCAS), of which, 30% received IVBPmed for treatment of either postoperative hypertension (12.6%) or hypotension (16.4%). In multivariable analysis, postoperative hypotension was associated with a higher risk of stroke, death, or myocardial infarction (MI) (odds ratio OR, 3.1; 95% confidence interval CI, 2.6-3.6; P < .001), stroke or death (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.4-3.5; P < .001), stroke (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.1-3.2; P < .001), death (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.6-4.8; P < .001), MI (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.3-6.7; P < .001), and bleeding (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.4-2.7; P < .001) compared with normotensive patients. Postoperative hypertension was associated with a higher risk of stroke, death, or MI (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 3-4.4; P < .001), stroke or death (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.7-4.1; P < .001), stroke (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 3-4.7; P < .001), death (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.9-3.9; P < .001), MI (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 3.9-8.3; P < .001), and bleeding (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.7; P < .001) compared with normotensive patients.
Postoperative hypertension or hypotension requiring IVBPmed after CAS is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital stroke, death, MI, and bleeding. Postoperative hypertension is associated with worse survival at 1 year. This study indicates that the need for IVBPmed after CAS is not benign; therefore, these patients necessitate aggressive perioperative medical management and safe techniques to avoid hypo and hypertension. Close follow-up and continue medical management are needed to maximize these patients’ survival.
The outcomes associated with transcarotid revascularization (TCAR) have proved to be noninferior to the historical results established for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Therefore, TCAR has been ...increasingly offered to patients with neck anatomy hostile for traditional CEA. The present investigation was completed to evaluate whether a difference exists for patients undergoing TCAR in de novo anatomy with unviolated surgical planes compared with those undergoing TCAR in necks with hostile anatomy.
The demographic data and outcomes were captured at two high-volume TCAR institutions from December 2015 to December 2021 via a query of two parallel, prospectively maintained, carotid intervention databases at these two health institutions. A hostile neck anatomy was defined as a history of previous ipsilateral neck radiation, oncologic dissection, or CEA. Univariate analysis was performed to compare the two cohorts at an α of 0.05.
During the inclusion period, the data from 750 TCARs were captured, including 108 procedures in hostile neck anatomy and 642 in de novo necks. No significant differences were found in the baseline comorbidity burden using the Charlson comorbidity index or the indication for revascularization. Intraoperatively, no significant increase in case complexity was observed with respect to those with a hostile neck, except for the operative time, which was 10% longer (69.5 vs 63.4 minutes; P = .01). The flow reversal and fluoroscopic times, blood loss, radiation exposure, and contrast use were identical. Postoperatively, no differences were observed between the hostile and de novo necks with respect to stroke (0.9% vs 2.5%; P = .49), myocardial infarction (0.9% vs 0.2%; P = .27), and death (0% vs 1.5%; P = .37). Additionally, hematoma formation and the need for reintervention did not seem to vary between the two groups. Similarly, no differences in the two cohorts were noted during follow-up.
According to the findings from our large, dual-institutional series, the performance of TCAR in surgical fields traditionally hostile for CEA was not associated with increased intraoperative complexity or postoperative morbidity.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Long-term outcomes for harvesting techniques for great saphenous vein (GSV) and its impact on the outcomes of infrainguinal arterial bypass remains largely unknown. Endoscopic GSV harvesting (EVH) ...has emerged as a less invasive alternative to conventional open techniques. Using the Vascular Quality initiative Vascular Implant Surveillance & Interventional Outcomes Network (VQI-VISION) database, we compared the long-term outcomes of infrainguinal arterial bypass using open and endoscopic GSV harvest techniques.OBJECTIVELong-term outcomes for harvesting techniques for great saphenous vein (GSV) and its impact on the outcomes of infrainguinal arterial bypass remains largely unknown. Endoscopic GSV harvesting (EVH) has emerged as a less invasive alternative to conventional open techniques. Using the Vascular Quality initiative Vascular Implant Surveillance & Interventional Outcomes Network (VQI-VISION) database, we compared the long-term outcomes of infrainguinal arterial bypass using open and endoscopic GSV harvest techniques.Patients who underwent infrainguinal GSV bypass between 2010 and 2019 were identified in the VQI-VISION Medicare linked database. Long-term outcomes of major/minor amputations, and reinterventions up to 5 years of follow-up were compared between continuous incisions, skip incision, and EVH, with continuous incisions being the reference group. Secondary outcomes included 30- and 90-day readmission, in addition to surgical site infections and patency rates at 6 months to 2 years postoperatively. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression hazard models were utilized to compare outcomes between groups. To adjust for multiple comparisons between the study groups, a P value of 2.5% was considered significant.METHODSPatients who underwent infrainguinal GSV bypass between 2010 and 2019 were identified in the VQI-VISION Medicare linked database. Long-term outcomes of major/minor amputations, and reinterventions up to 5 years of follow-up were compared between continuous incisions, skip incision, and EVH, with continuous incisions being the reference group. Secondary outcomes included 30- and 90-day readmission, in addition to surgical site infections and patency rates at 6 months to 2 years postoperatively. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression hazard models were utilized to compare outcomes between groups. To adjust for multiple comparisons between the study groups, a P value of 2.5% was considered significant.Among the 8915 patients included in the study, continuous and skip vein harvest techniques were used in 44.4% and 43.4% of cases each, whereas 12.3% underwent EVH. The utilization of EVH remained relatively stable at around 12% throughout the study period. Compared with GSV harvest using continuous incisions, EVH was associated with higher rates of reintervention at 1 year (46.5% vs 41.3%; adjusted hazard ratio aHR, 1.22; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.06-1.41; P = .01. However, no significant difference was observed between EVH and continuous incisions, and between skip and continuous incisions in terms of long-term reintervention or major and minor amputations on adjusted analysis. Compared with continuous incision vein harvest, both EVH and skip incisions were associated with lower surgical site infection rates within the first 6 months post-bypass (aHR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.82 and aHR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.87, respectively). Loss of primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency was higher after EVH compared with continuous incision vein harvest. Among surgeons performing EVH, comparable long-term outcomes were observed regardless of low (<4 cases/year), medium (4-7 cases/year), or high procedural volumes (>7 cases/year).RESULTSAmong the 8915 patients included in the study, continuous and skip vein harvest techniques were used in 44.4% and 43.4% of cases each, whereas 12.3% underwent EVH. The utilization of EVH remained relatively stable at around 12% throughout the study period. Compared with GSV harvest using continuous incisions, EVH was associated with higher rates of reintervention at 1 year (46.5% vs 41.3%; adjusted hazard ratio aHR, 1.22; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.06-1.41; P = .01. However, no significant difference was observed between EVH and continuous incisions, and between skip and continuous incisions in terms of long-term reintervention or major and minor amputations on adjusted analysis. Compared with continuous incision vein harvest, both EVH and skip incisions were associated with lower surgical site infection rates within the first 6 months post-bypass (aHR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.82 and aHR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.87, respectively). Loss of primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency was higher after EVH compared with continuous incision vein harvest. Among surgeons performing EVH, comparable long-term outcomes were observed regardless of low (<4 cases/year), medium (4-7 cases/year), or high procedural volumes (>7 cases/year).Despite higher 1-year reintervention rates, EVH for infrainguinal arterial bypass is not associated with a significant difference in long-term reintervention or amputation rates compared with other harvesting techniques. These outcomes are not influenced by procedural volumes for EVH technique.CONCLUSIONSDespite higher 1-year reintervention rates, EVH for infrainguinal arterial bypass is not associated with a significant difference in long-term reintervention or amputation rates compared with other harvesting techniques. These outcomes are not influenced by procedural volumes for EVH technique.
To define the risks associated with the replacement of dual antiplatelets for alternate medication regimens.
Patients undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) for atherosclerotic ...disease in the Vascular Quality Initiative database from September 2016 to June 2022 were included. In all, 29,802 TCAR procedures were captured between 2016 and 2022, consisting of 24,651 (82.7%) maintained on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and 5151 (17.3%) on alternative regimens.
Patients maintained on DAPT were compared with those on alternative regimens consisting of any combination of single antiplatelet monotherapy and/or anticoagulation.
On univariable analysis, patients on alternative medications were more likely to experience in-hospital death, ipsilateral stroke, any stroke, and transient ischemic attacks compared with patients in the DAPT group. The mortality rate was higher at 1 year in the alternative cohort (4.7% vs 7.0%, P <0.01). The use of alternate medication regimens was associated with increased odds of stroke and the composite outcome of in-hospital stroke/death compared with DAPT. There was also a significant association between alternative medication use and increased odds of in-hospital transient ischemic attack, immediate stent occlusion, and return to the operating room. At 1 year, there was no significant difference in the incidence of stroke between the 2 groups. However, the use of alternate regimens was associated with higher 1-year of mortality after multivariable adjustment.
Patients not maintained on DAPT after TCAR experienced an increased risk of stroke and death in the perioperative and follow-up periods. Increased surgeon vigilance is required to ensure compliance with dual antiplatelets as recommended.
Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a carotid stenting technique that utilizes reversal of cerebral arterial flow to confer cerebral protection. Although carotid endarterectomy (CEA) ...remains the standard for treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the search for the optimal minimally invasive option for the high-risk surgical patient continues. The goal of the current study is to evaluate the 1-year safety and efficacy of TCAR in a prospective clinical trial.
ROADSTER 2 is a prospective, open-label, single-arm, multicenter, post-approval registry for patients undergoing TCAR. All patients were considered high risk for CEA and underwent independent neurological assessments preoperatively, postoperatively, and had long-term clinical follow-up. The primary end point was incidence of ipsilateral stroke after treatment with the ENROUTE Transcarotid Stent System. Secondary end points included individual/composite rates of stroke, death, and perioperative myocardial infarction.
Between June 2016 and November 2018, 155 patients at 21 centers in the United States and one in the European Union were enrolled and represented a subset of the overall trial. Asymptomatic (n = 119; 77%) and symptomatic patients (n = 36; 23%) with high-risk anatomic (ie, high lesion, restenosis, radiation injury; 43%), physiologic (32%), or combined factors (25%) were enrolled. No patient suffered a perioperative myocardial infarction or stroke. Over the year, no patient had an ipsilateral stroke, but four patients died (2.6%), all from non-neurological causes. Additionally, a technical success rate of 98.7% with a low cranial nerve deficit rate of 1.3% was achieved.
In patients with high risk factors, TCAR yields high technical success with a low stroke and death rate at 1 year. Further comparative studies with CEA are warranted.