Prediction of Cerebral Hyperperfusion After Carotid Artery Stenting by Cerebral Angiography and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Without Acetazolamide Challenge.

BACKGROUND

Definitive preoperative predictors of cerebral hyperperfusion following carotid artery stenting are yet to be established.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the preprocedural risk factors for cerebral hyperperfusion phenomenon (CHP) following carotid artery stenting.

METHODS

Patients undergoing preprocedural single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and cerebral angiography prior to their first carotid artery stenting were monitored for occurrence of CHP. In addition to patient characteristics, we investigated imaging parameters, such as cerebral blood flow, cerebral vasoreactivity, and asymmetry index on SPECT, and presence of near occlusion and leptomeningeal anastomosis on cerebral angiography.

RESULTS

Out of 100 patients (mean age: 73.0 ± 7.6 years; 85 men), 9 developed CHP. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, asymmetry index (%) on SPECT (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.93, P = .003) and presence of leptomeningeal anastomosis on cerebral angiography (OR 72.1, 95% CI 3.52-1480, P = .006) were independent predictors of CHP.

CONCLUSION

Combined use of cerebral angiography and SPECT may obviate the need for acetazolamide challenge to predict the risk of CHP following carotid artery stenting.