NEUROIMAGING / DSA

Balloon Test Occlusion (BTO)

Created 29/04/2021, last revision 06/11/2023

  • acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is associated with a high risk of ischemic neurological deficits (20-49%) (Seet, 2012)
    • in a meta-analysis of 20 studies of patients with ICA occlusion, the annual risk of stroke was 5.5% (2.1% ipsilateral). Those with hemodynamic compromise on functional imaging had a stroke risk of 12.5% (9.5% ipsilateral)
    • the clinical course of ICA occlusion is variable, ranging from asymptomatic lesions to devastating strokes (Klijn, 1997)
  • the balloon test occlusion (BTO) is performed to determine whether an artery can be temporarily or permanently occluded without significantly affecting brain perfusion
  • if the BTO is well tolerated, the risk of subsequent ischemia is significantly reduced
    • pharmacologically induced hypotension during BTO further increases the sensitivity of the test

Indications

  • functional testing in patients scheduled for ICA occlusion (inoperable aneurysms, glomus tumors, intracranial tumors, tumors in the ENT region)
  • the Matas test (external CCA compression during angiography) used to be performed; it has been replaced by the more sensitive balloon test occlusion (BTO)
Balloon test occlusion (BTO)
Balloon test occlusion (BTO) - collaterals M4, A4

Procedure

Patient preparation

  • allergy premedication (if necessary)
  • premedicate with NIMOTOP 60 mg PO (2 tablets) every 4h
  • insert a urinary catheter and intravenous cannula
  • start normal saline solution at 150 mL/h at least 4h before the procedure
  • ensure anesthesiologist supervision
  • IV heparinization at the beginning of the procedure
    • undiluted HEPARIN  – bolus of 5000-7000 IU (1 – 1.4 mL)
    • diluted heparin – 4ml (1ml = 5000jj) + 16mL of NS (20mL solution = 20 000jj)
    • followed by diluted HEPARIN 1-3 mL/h IV (1000-3000 IU/h) with the target APTT 2-3x
  • flush the distal catheter section above the balloon with normal saline + a low dose of heparin
    • HEPARIN 0.5 ml (500IU) + 500 ml of NS (1ml=1IU) – a continuous infusion of 60mL/h (1 IU/min) [Standard, 1995]

Clinical and TCCD monitoring during the procedure

  • check the neurological status every 5 minutes after balloon inflation
  • stop the test:
    • if neurological deficits develop
    • if the patient tolerates occlusion for 20 minutes without neurologic deficits [Kikuchi, 2014
  • in addition to a neurological examination, TCCD/TCD monitoring of the MCA may be used  [Sorteberg,2008]
    • if PSV drops to the max. 65% of baseline, ICA occlusion is safe
    • if it drops to < 54%, there is an increased risk of hypoperfusion
  • a 20-minute test with medically induced hypotension may be added
    • labetalol (TRANDATE) IV injection (bolus 5-20 mg) or sodium nitroprusside (2.5 to 7.5mg/kg body weight per minute)
    • lower the mean blood pressure to 2/3 of the baseline
    • hypotension is maintained for approx. 20 minutes
    • the negative test identifies patients who can safely undergo ICA occlusion with 95% accuracy  [Standard, 1995]
  • extract the balloon after the test is completed
  • neutralize heparin with PROTAMIN → Neutralization of the anticoagulant drugs
  • remove the sheath, apply external groin compression, or seal the puncture
  • observe the patient in the ICU for the next 24h

Assessment of collateral circulation

  • assess the contrast filling of ACA (A1-A4 segments) and the MCA (segments M1-M4) on the occluded side  (Kikuchi, 2014]
  • assess the anatomy of the circle of Willis (especially the presence and quality of ACoA and PCoA, A1 and P1 segments bilaterally)
Balloon test occlusion (BTO) - collaterals A4, M0
Balloon test occlusion (BTO) - collaterals A4, M4
The Circle of Willis - variants

Complications

  • neurologic complications: 0-8.3% (average complication rate according to various studies ~ 2.2%) → more here

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Balloon Test Occlusion (BTO)
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