Cerebral microcirculation after internal carotid artery (ICA) stenting is an insufficiently explored and relevant area of research. To address this question, we studied blood circulation in the eye as a part of central nervous system supplied through ICA.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of ICA stenting on eye vascularization in early period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 92 patients with unilateral or bilateral ICA stenosis ≥70% who underwent stenting of one ICA. Prior to the intervention and 3—7 days later, patients underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT). We measured microvascular network density using VAD (image binarization method) and VSD (skeletonizing method) modes in superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) layers of macular retina in the area 6×6 mm (VAD SCP MZ 6×6 mm, VAD DCP MZ 6x6 mm, VSD SCP MZ 6x6 mm, VSD DCP MZ 6x6 mm) and in peripapillary (RPC) region in the area 4x4 mm (VAD RPC 4×4 mm, VSD RPC 4×4 mm). We distinguished 2 groups depending on eye lateralization: group 1 — ipsilateral eyes, group 2 — contralateral eyes. There were no differences in baseline OCTA parameters between ipsilateral and contralateral eyes.

RESULTS

ICA stenting was followed by significant increase of VAD DCP MZ 6×6 mm and VSD DCP MZ 6×6 mm in ipsilateral (p=0.01 and p<0.01, respectively) and contralateral eyes (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively). This indicated better microcirculation in deep retinal plexus.

CONCLUSION

Monitoring of retinal vascularization may be convenient for assessing the efficacy of ICA stenting regarding brain perfusion.