title: Stent-graft treatment of pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae in the carotid artery.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of stent-graft placement in the management of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) and pseudoaneurysms (PAs) involving the carotid artery (CA). Twenty-two patients (16 men, 6 women) with a CA AVF (n = 5) or PA (n = 17) owing to a gunshot or stab wound, carotid endarterectomy, blunt trauma, a tumor, spontaneous dissection, or a central venous catheter were treated with percutaneous placement of stent grafts. The patients presented with tumor, bruit, headache, mouth and tracheostomy bleeding, transitory hemiparesis, seizure, or stroke. Diagnoses were made by using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography. Fourteen lesions were in the common CA; eight were in the internal CA. Homemade devices and stent grafts from a variety of manufacturers were employed. Follow-up evaluations included clinical, CTA, and Doppler ultrasound assessments. All patients had resolution of the PA or AVF. In one patient with a large petrous PA, acute occlusion of the CA developed after placement of three balloon-expandable stent grafts, but there were no neurologic complications because the circle of Willis was functional. During follow-up ranging from 2 months to 13 years, asymptomatic 90% stenosis owing to stent compression was observed on Doppler ultrasound and angiographic examinations in a patient with an autologous vein-covered stent graft in the internal CA. Three other patients died of causes unrelated to stent-graft placement. In all other patients, the stent graft remained patent. Our results indicate that stent grafting is an acceptable alternative to surgery in the treatment of AVF and PAs in the CA.
authors.affiliation: Heart and Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. schonhol@musc.edu
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schönholz
authors.forename: Zvonimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krajcer
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carlos Parodi
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mendaro
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hannegan
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Bayne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Selby
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guimaraes
authors.forename: Renan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uflacker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome