Safety and Feasibility of Same-Admission Transcarotid Arterial Revascularization Prior to Heart Surgery for Patients Presenting With Concurrent, Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis, and Surgical Cardiac Disease

Authors

Brittany Landavazo, Texas A&M College of MedicineFollow
Matthew D. Kenny, Texas A&M College of MedicineFollow
Chandler Vernon, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Nicolas Zea, Cardiothoracic and Vascular SurgeonsFollow
David Nation, Cardiothoracic and Vascular SurgeonsFollow
Bradley Boone, Cardiothoracic and Vascular SurgeonsFollow
Jeff Apple, Cardiothoracic and Vascular SurgeonsFollow
Kofi Quaye, St Davids Medical CenterFollow
Shir Yelovitch, St Davids Medical CenterFollow
Ryan S. Turley, St Davids Medical CenterFollow

Keywords

anesthesia; CABG; carotid treatment; cerebrovascular complications; combined CAD; staging

Disciplines

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Investigative Techniques | Surgical Procedures, Operative | Therapeutics

Abstract

Introduction

Carotid artery stenosis and coronary artery disease are often co-morbid, with a prevalence of concurrent carotid and coronary artery stenosis approaching 50%. The optimal treatment for these patients has long been debated, with open carotid revascularization generally reserved for those with severe symptomatic carotid disease that precludes cardiac surgery. In this scenario, the role of less-invasive carotid artery stenting, particularly transcarotid arterial revascularization (TCAR), remains controversial and is not yet well studied. This study aims to present our outcomes and methodology for treating severe carotid stenosis with TCAR prior to cardiac surgery.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of the previous 656 TCAR procedures performed from 2013 to 2024 identified 15 TCAR procedures conducted during the same hospital admission before cardiac surgery. The primary endpoint was 30-day stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary endpoints included operative time, cranial nerve (CN) injury, neck hematoma, length of stay, arterial dissection, and death.

Results

Fifteen patients underwent TCAR before cardiac surgery. Of these, 73.33% were men, with a median age of 65.98 years. Eighty percent of the cohort was asymptomatic, and the majority of the cohort had greater than 80% stenosis. Bridging anticoagulation treatment included aspirin and either heparin infusion (60.0%, n = 9), intravenous antiplatelet therapy such as cangrelor or eptifibatide (33.33%, n = 5), or subcutaneous enoxaparin (6.67%, n = 1). No patients experienced MI, stroke, CN injury, neck hematoma, or arterial dissection within 30 days. There were no deaths within 30 days.

Conclusion

In our initial experience with TCAR prior to cardiac surgery, there were no cerebrovascular complications, suggesting the feasibility of same admission TCAR and cardiac surgery. In our experience, a range of anticoagulation bridging therapies did not result in apparent stent thrombosis and can be employed until the cardiac surgeon deems it safe to initiate oral dual antiplatelet therapy. Further studies with larger datasets are required to support the broader adoption of TCAR prior to heart surgery in patients with concurrent, severe cardiac and carotid disease.

Recommended Citation

Landavazo, Brittany; Kenny, Matthew D.; Vernon, Chandler; Zea, Nicolas; Nation, David; Boone, Bradley; Apple, Jeff; Quaye, Kofi; Yelovitch, Shir; and Turley, Ryan S. (2026) "Safety and Feasibility of Same-Admission Transcarotid Arterial Revascularization Prior to Heart Surgery for Patients Presenting With Concurrent, Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis, and Surgical Cardiac Disease," HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.36518/2689-0216.2228
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.hcahealthcare.com/hcahealthcarejournal/vol7/iss1/7