The Role of Cerebral Oximetry in Combination with Awake Testing in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy under Local Anaesthesia

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Introduction The aim of this study is to analyse the role of cerebral oximetry in combination with awake testing in detecting cerebral ischaemia in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) under local anaesthesia (LA). Methods One hundred consecutive patients scheduled for CEA under LA were investigated. Regional oxygen saturation (rSO 2) was measured with a cerebral oximeter. Cerebral ischaemia was assessed by awake testing in conjunction with rSO 2. Shunting was based solely on deterioration in conscious state assessed by awake testing. The correlation between awake testing and percentage fall in rSO 2 levels was statistically analysed. Results Patients requiring general anaesthesia were excluded from analysis ( n = 17). Seven patients developed deterioration in conscious state and an immediate drop in rSO 2 ≥20% following carotid cross-clamping. Two patients requiring shunting for non-neurological reasons were excluded from analysis. Two patients had a drop in rSO 2 ≥20%, but remained conscious and were not shunted. There were no permanent neurological deficits postoperatively. Statistical analysis showed a sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 96% yielding a positive predictive value of 81% and negative predictive value of 100% for a ≥19% drop in rSO 2. Conclusion Cerebral oximetry using a cut off ≥19% drop in rSO 2 has a high sensitivity and specificity when compared with awake testing.