Objectives: We have been performing preoperative coronary artery assessments and implementing coronary revascularization or intraoperative adjunctive therapies as needed in patients scheduled for carotid artery stenting (CAS) to prevent ischemic heart disease. In this study, we report the results of a retrospective observation of patients who underwent CAS under our treatment strategy to prevent perioperative coronary ischemic complications.

Methods: A total of 224 cases from January 2014 to December 2021 were included. Following preoperative coronary artery CTA, preoperative coronary artery treatment or intraoperative adjunctive therapy (temporary transcutaneous cardiac pacemaker [TTCP] or intra-aortic balloon pumping [IABP]) was performed based on the degree of stenosis. We analyzed the outcomes of patients treated with CAS under this strategy at our institution.

Results: Coronary artery disease was detected preoperatively in 143 cases (64%), with 91 cases (41%) indicated for coronary revascularization. Preoperative coronary artery treatment was performed in 76 cases (34%) prior to CAS, and adjunctive therapy with TTCP or IABP was provided in 28 cases (13%) during the procedure. No case developed perioperative coronary ischemic complication.

Conclusion: In patients who have undergone CAS, perioperative coronary ischemic complications might be reduced by evaluating the risk of ischemic heart disease preoperatively, performing pre-CAS coronary artery intervention based on the severity of the lesions, and administering intraoperative adjunctive therapy.

Objective: The double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (DOPICA) is a rare variant of PICA. Vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) with DOPICA is an extremely rare occurrence. Herein, we report a case of VADA located between DOPICA that was successfully treated with endovascular internal trapping.

Case Presentation: A 48-year-old male, found collapsed at his workplace, was admitted to our hospital for emergency medical assistance. Head CT revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher group 3), and cerebral angiography revealed right VADA with DOPICA. The VADA was located distal to the proximal component of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PCPICA) and just proximal to the hypoplastic distal component of PICA (DCPICA). Emergency endovascular internal trapping was performed using a total of 13 coils from the distal end of the VADA to just the distal of the branching point of PCPICA. VADA was not visualized, and antegrade flow through DOPICA to the basilar artery was confirmed. Head magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed antegrade flow via DOPICA, and the patient was discharged home on Day 46 with a modified Rankin Scale 0.

Conclusion: Endovascular internal trapping for VADA with DOPICA was considered useful, especially when VADA is distal to PCPICA and proximal to DCPICA.

Objective: In recent years, the transradial artery approach has gained prominence and is increasingly employed in neurovascular angiography and therapy due to its safety, reduced complications, and minimal invasiveness. While various venous approaches, including the conventional transfemoral vein approach, exist for procedures such as transvenous embolization, recent reports have highlighted methods involving upper extremity cutaneous veins. However, the practicality and efficacy of these approaches remain unclear.

Case Presentations: This study presents our experience with three cases of dural arteriovenous fistulas, where transvenous embolization was performed via upper limb cutaneous veins. In all instances, the arteriovenous approach was successfully executed using a single upper extremity, leading to the successful completion of treatment.

Conclusion: This technique demonstrates significant advantages, not only in terms of its minimal invasiveness but also due to its simplicity and safety. Anticipating broader acceptance in the future, this approach offers a promising avenue for further exploration in neurovascular interventions.

Objective: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the gold standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke. During these interventions, a thrombus frequently obstructs a guiding catheter. The obstructed guiding catheter should be withdrawn before distal embolism occurs; however, albeit infrequently, the thrombus occludes even a sheath introducer (SI). While conventionally new SI placement is required for continuation of treatment, we propose a viable alternative for recanalization of the occluded SI, termed vacuum-assisted delivery of thrombus (VADT), with a clinical report of our cases. The usefulness of this technique was also evaluated in simulation experiments.

Case Presentations: The VADT procedure is as follows: 1) insert a peel-away sheath, originally attached to a balloon-guiding catheter (BGC), into the SI to continuously open the hemostatic valve; 2) advance the BGC into the peel-away sheath while applying mechanical aspiration; and 3) remove the peel-away sheath/BGC assembly slowly. In a simulation environment using an artificial thrombus, we repeated the VADT procedure five times and reproducibly achieved SI reopening within only 10–20 seconds. From March 2013 to September 2022, 204 patients were treated with MT at our stroke center and SI occlusion occurred in three patients (1.5%). These events occurred exclusively in patients with extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion. All three patients with SI occlusion underwent successfully thrombus extraction in the SI using the VADT on the first try.

Conclusion: The results of clinical experience and simulation experiments strongly support VADT as a reliable option for recanalization of an occluded SI.