A bibliometric analysis on the most-cited publications on carotid endarterectomy throughout history

Abstract. Background: Insufficient evidence exists to support the safety of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischaemic stroke. Our study aimed to report a single-centre experience of patients treated over a five-year period. Patients and methods: Departmental computerised databases were interrogated to identify patients who suffered an ischaemic stroke and subsequently underwent thrombolysis followed by CEA. Mortality and stroke within 30 days of surgery were defined as the primary outcome end points. Results: Over a five-year period, 177 out of a total of 679 carotid endarterectomies (26 %) were performed in patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke. Twenty-five patients (14 %) received IVT prior to CEA in the form of alteplase. Sixty percent of patients were male with a mean age of 68 years. Sixteen patients (64 %) underwent CEA within 14 days of IVT and the median interval between thrombolysis and CEA was 7.5 days (range, 3–50 days). One female patient died of a further intraoperative stroke within 30 days of surgery, yielding a mortality rate of 4 %. Two patients (8 %) suffered from cardiac complications postoperatively resulting in a short high dependency unit stay. Another two patients (8 %) developed local wound complications, which were managed conservatively without the need for re-operation. The median hospital length of stay was 4.5 days (range, 1–33 days). Conclusions: Our experience indicates that CEA post-thrombolysis has a low incidence of mortality. Further high quality evidence is required before CEA can be routinely recommended following IVT for acute ischaemic stroke.

Download Full-text

Outcome of carotid endarterectomy under local anaesthesia with respect to the patients’ risk profile

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526.38.3.225 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 225-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Aleksic ◽

Luebke ◽

Brunkwall

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

High Risk ◽

Carotid Endarterectomy ◽

Complication Rate ◽

Local Anaesthesia ◽

High Risk Group ◽

High Risk Patients ◽

Hostile Neck ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Angioplasty And Stenting

Background: In the present study the perioperative complication rate is compared between high- and low-risk patients when carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is routinely performed under local anaesthesia (LA). Patients and methods: From January 2000 through June 2008 1220 consecutive patients underwent CEA under LA. High-risk patients fulfilled at least one of the following characteristics: ASA 4 classification, “hostile neck”, recurrent ICA stenosis, contralateral ICA occlusion, age ≥ 80 years. The combined complication rate comprised any new neurological deficit (TIA or stroke), myocardial infarction or death within 30 days after CEA, which was compared between patient groups. Results: Overall 309 patients (25%) were attributed to the high-risk group, which differed significantly regarding sex distribution (more males: 70% vs. 63%, p = 0,011), neurological presentation (more asymptomatic: 72% vs. 62%, p = 0,001) and shunt necessity (33% vs. 14%, p < 0,001). In 32 patients 17 TIAs and 15 strokes were observed. In 3 patients a myocardial infarction occurred. Death occurred in one patient following a stroke and in another patient following myocardial infarction, leading to a combined complication rate of 2,9% (35/1220). In the multivariate analysis only previous neurological symptomatology (OR 2,85, 95% CI 1,38-5,91) and intraoperative shunting (OR 5,57, 95% CI 2,69-11,55) were identified as independent risk factors for an increased combined complication rate. Conclusions: With the routine use of LA, CEA was not associated with worse outcome in high-risk patients. Considering the data reported in the literature, it does not appear justified to refer high-risk patients principally to carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) when LA can be chosen to perform CEA.

Download Full-text

Carotid endarterectomy in patients with foetal-type posterior circle of Willis: Is there an indication for local anaesthesia?

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000138 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

pp. 404-407

Author(s):

Maras ◽

Tzormpatzoglou ◽

Papas ◽

Papanas ◽

Kotsikoris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carotid Endarterectomy ◽

Local Anaesthesia ◽

Anatomical Variation ◽

Anatomical Variations ◽

Circle Of Willis ◽

Variable Degree ◽

Operative Complications ◽

The Right ◽

Ica Stenosis ◽

Symptomatic Stenosis

Foetal-type posterior circle of Willis is a common anatomical variation with a variable degree of vessel asymmetry. In patients with this abnormality, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) may create cerebral hypo-perfusion intraoperatively, and this may be underestimated under general anaesthesia. There is currently no evidence that anatomical variations in the circle of Willis represent an independent risk factor for stroke. Moreover, there is a paucity of data on treating patients with such anatomical variations and co-existing ICA stenosis. We present a case of CEA under local anaesthesia (LA) in a 52-year-old female patient with symptomatic stenosis of the right ICA and coexistent foetal-type posterior circle of Willis. There were no post-operative complications and she was discharged free from symptoms. She was seen again 3 months later and was free from complications. This case higlights that LA should be strongly considered to enable better intra-operative neurological monitoring in the event of foetal-type posterior circle of Willis.

Download Full-text