Successful Carotid Endarterectomy Research Articles

Hyperacute Restenosis after Carotid Endarterectomy – A Rare Entity and Its Management

We report an interesting case of restenosis coming on in the early postoperative period after successful carotid endarterectomy at the site of endarterectomy. The patient was admitted and managed at Neurosurgery Department of Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai.

History of Carotid Artery Reconstruction around the World and in Japan.

Since ancient times, physicians have been aware of correlations between the carotid artery and consciousness; however, carotid stenosis was only recently identified as the cause of atherothrombotic ischemic stroke. In 1658, Wepfer described the first suggestion of a link between symptoms of cerebral arterial insufficiency and carotid pathology. In 1951, Fisher reported details of the symptoms and pathological findings and emphasized that cervical atheromatous lesions induced cerebral infarction with various symptoms. The beginning of carotid artery surgery was ligation of the carotid artery for neck or head injury, but surgeons were aware that this operation induced cerebral symptoms due to lack of blood supply. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was first reported by Eastcott et al. in 1954, and in Japan, Kimoto performed a successful CEA in 1962. In 1979, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed for patients with fibromuscular dysplasia, and then, carotid artery stenting (CAS) was first performed in 1989 by Mathias. In Japan, Kuwana et al. were the first to perform carotid PTA, in 1981, whereas Yamashita et al. performed the first CAS in 1997. Yoshimura et al. proposed staged carotid stenting to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome. Some issues in carotid reconstruction are still debated today, which include conventional (standard) CEA versus the eversion technique, CEA versus CAS versus medical therapy, and medical economic problems. In the future, we must continue to develop more effective, safer, and less expensive therapeutic methods to prevent carotid stroke, carrying on the efforts of the ancient peoples who pioneered this research.

O070 Can the compass trial recommendations be implemented following symptomatic carotid endarterectomy (CEA)?

Abstract Introduction The paradigm changing COMPASS trial (1) demonstrated that in stable atherosclerotic disease, low-dose Rivaroxaban and Aspirin has a significantly greater protective effect on subsequent cardiovascular events (death, stroke or myocardial infarct) than antiplatelet medication alone. This included carotid endarterectomy patients. We assessed our success at implementing COMPASS in our symptomatic CEA patients Methods At the four-week virtual post-CEA review, in suitable patients the general practitioner was advised to change from single antiplatelet to COMPASS regimen. At 6-month follow-up the success and safety of the conversion was assessed. Results For 18 months up to February 2021, 47 patients underwent successful CEA. 29 were recommended for COMPASS, 3 were lost to follow up and 15 were not suitable (6 on DOAC for AF/VTE, 9 complex drug regimen). At 6 months 18 of 29 patients were on the COMPASS regimen (9 not started; 2 withdrawn due to bruising). All patients reported compliance to the regimen. There were no reported haemorrhagic events. 1 patient (not in the COMPASS group) had further multi-territory cerebrovascular events. Conclusion COMPASS is well tolerated in this cohort. Conversion from established drug regimens has yet to gain traction. The benefits on future cardiovascular events post-CEA is yet to be determined. Take-home message Changing post-op medications after a carotid endarterectomy can reduce the later risk of Cardiovascular events. We demonstrate it is possible to successfully do this, but should aim for a higher rate of uptake. (1): N Engl J Med 2017; 377:1319–1330 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1709118

The predictive value of internal carotid artery wall thickness in computed tomography angiography to avoid complications of plaque removal failure in modified eversion carotid endarterectomy.

The benefits of computed tomography carotid angiography (CTA) in terms of evaluating the anatomical structure of the carotid arteries, surgical planning, and evaluating possible risks were reported in previous studies. This study aimed to calculate the predictive value of internal carotid wall thickness in CTA that can predict whether a modified carotid eversion endarterectomy (MCEE) will result in a successful or not. This study was designed in a retrospective cross-sectional format. Consecutive 83 symptomatic carotid surgery patients who were operated in our hospital and had CTA were included in this study. The wall thickness of the internal carotid artery (ICA) 20mm distal from the carotid bifurcation was calculated in axial sections using a three-dimensional imaging technique. In addition, all patients' characteristics and laboratory findings were recorded. Patients who failed MCEE and required classical carotid endarterectomy were compared with patients who had successful MCEE. MCEE technique was applied to 62 patients. In 21 patients, the MCEE technique failed and the classical endarterectomy technique was required. Preoperative clinical and laboratory characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean ICA wall thickness was 0.65mm 20mm distal to from the carotid bifurcation and it was lower in the group with successful MCEE (1.03 ± 0.21mm vs. 0.56 ± 0.08mm) (p < 0.001). The critical ICA wall thickness was calculated as 0.76mm in the group that MCEE failed and classical carotid endarterectomy was required. Cut-off analysis of ICA wall thickness was calculated as 0.755mm in ROC analysis (p < 0.001), (95% confidence interval, curve area; 0.985). Successful carotid endarterectomy with the MCEE method is associated with distal ICA wall thickness and distal extension of the atheroma plate. The use of ICA wall thickness 20mm distal to from the bifurcation as a predictive value for the success of the MCEE technique is beneficial to avoid serious complications.

Emergency Carotid Endarterectomy for Internal Carotid Artery Thrombosis in the Course of COVID-19

A case of successful emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEE) in the acute period of ischemic stroke (within an hour after the onset of symptoms) in a patient with acute occlusive thrombosis of the internal carotid artery in the course of moderate-severe COVID-19 with a positive result of the polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal smear for SARS-CoV-2. The diameter of the ischemic focus in the brain according to multispiral computed tomography did not exceed 2.5 cm. The course of ischemic stroke was characterized by mild neurological deficit (score 5 according to National Institute of Health Stroke Scale). It was demonstrated that the severity of the patient’s condition was associated with bilateral, polysegmental, viral penvmonia with 65% damage to the lung tissue, a decrease in SpO2 to 93%. Laboratory noted coagulopathy with an increase in D-dimer (2837.0 ng/ml), prothrombin according to Quick (155.3%), fibrinogen (14.5 g/l) and signs of a “cytokine storm” with leukocytosis (28.4 10E9/l), an increase in C-reactive protein (183.5 mg/l), ferritin (632.8 ng/ml), interleukin-6 (176.9 pg/ml). The patient underwent glomus-sparing eversional CEE. The intervention was performed under local anesthesia due to the high risk of developing pulmonary barotrauma when using mechanical ventilation. To prevent the development of acute hematoma, a double active drainage was used into the paravasal space and subcutaneous fatty tissue (SFT). In case of thrombosis of one of the drainages, the second could serve as a spare. Also, upon receipt of hemorrhagic discharge from the drainage located in the SFT, the patient would not need to be transported to the operating room. Removal of skin sutures with revision and stitching of the bleeding source could be performed under local anesthesia in a dressing room. The postoperative period was uneventful, with complete regression of neurological symptoms. Used anticoagulant (heparin 5 thousand units 4 times a day s/c) and antiplatelet therapy (acetylsalicylic acid 125 mg at lunch). The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 12th day after CEE in satisfactory condition.

Surgical treatment in symptomatic stenosis of the carotid artery and persistent primitive hypoglossal artery.

Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery is a rare variant of intrauterine anastomosis between the carotid and basilar arteries, which may remain in adults. The presence of this artery in carotid artery atherosclerosis increases the risks for stroke in the carotid and basilar basins. Our clinical case illustrates successful carotid endarterectomy in the presence of an ipsilateral persistent primitive hypoglossal artery under cerebral oximetry control.

Carotid Artery Surgery to Reduce Long-Term Stroke Rates: Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of the Randomised Trials in Asymptomatic Patients

Background: Among patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent symptoms from it, carotid surgery involves hazards, but then reduces long-term stroke rates. Triple-drug therapy (statin, anti-thrombotic, anti-hypertensive) also reduces long-term stroke rates in these asymptomatic patients. Past trials of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can help assess the proportional reduction by carotid surgery in long-term stroke rates before and since triple-drug therapy became common. Methods: Intention-to-treat analyses used individual data from all 3 properly randomised trials among asymptomatic patients of immediate CEA vs deferral of any CEA until definitely indicated. Analyses of long-term stroke rates, censored at non-stroke death, used Kaplan-Meier life-tables and logrank methods. Findings: 2599 patients were allocated immediate CEA vs 2627 allocated deferral, with 89% vs 7% operated on within 1 year. Non-perioperative stroke rates were halved by allocation to immediate CEA (10-year stroke rate ratio [RR]=0.54, 95%CI 0.46-0.65, p<0.0001; 5.8% vs 11.7% by year 5); for fatal/disabling strokes, RR=0.55 (0.40-0.77, p<0.0001). Proportional reductions depended little on gender, or other patient characteristics. Ipsilateral and contralateral strokes were both reduced. In analyses restricted to strokes occurring on triple-drug therapy, absolute hazards and long-term stroke rates were lower than in the overall findings, but allocation to immediate CEA still halved long-term stroke rates (RR=0.56, 0.41-0.76; p=0.0002; 3.5% vs 7.0% by year 5). Of all CEAs undertaken, 3.1% involved perioperative stroke/death (71/3348; 40 dead/disabled, 31 not). Interpretation: Successful CEA halves long-term stroke rates. Net benefits will depend on surgical risks, long-term stroke rates without surgery, and life expectancy. Trial Registration: The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Funding: MRC. Declaration of Interest: None to declare.

Contemporary Stroke Risks of Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Design and Characteristics of a Large Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Randomised trials have shown that successful carotid endarterectomy (CEA) approximately halves 5-year stroke risk among patients with tight asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. The benefits of CEA with current medical therapies (including higher dose statins) are unclear. A reliable estimation of stroke risks requires follow up of a large cohort of patients with unoperated asymptomatic carotid stenosis and this report describes the design and characteristics of patients being recruited to this UK Carotid Cohort Study. Methods: Patients are recruited prospectively from three UK NHS hospitals when they present to vascular laboratories for carotid duplex assessment. They are invited to join, asked to complete a one page consent form and medical questionnaire and their carotid duplex assessments are then performed by accredited vascular scientists. Enrolled patients will be followed for up to 10 years by electronic data linkage and identified strokes characterised by review of hospital medical records and cross-sectional cerebral imaging. Results: Over seven hundred patients presenting for carotid duplex imaging have now been enrolled (∼40 per month). Approximately two-thirds are men, their mean age is 70 years. 12% report a prior stroke, 15% report ischaemic heart disease and 17% have diabetes. At the time of imaging, just over half (53%) were taking an antiplatelet agent, 71% took antihypertensive medications and 64% were on cholesterol-lowering medication. Nineteen percent had flow-limiting carotid stenosis (exceeding 50%). By the end of 2019, 1000 patients will have been recruited and 5-year stroke rates for this cohort will be reported in 2024. Conclusion: This vanguard study shows that large numbers of patients can be recruited from vascular laboratories. A full-scale study of 10,000 patients is now being planned, which will provide contemporary and representative estimates of stroke risk among patients with unoperated carotid stenoses. This data, in conjunction with existing and future trials, will help clarify the potential benefits of carotid revascularization in asymptomatic patients. Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

15-Year Stroke Prevention After Successful Carotid Endarterectomy for Asymptomatic Stenosis: Extended Post-trial Follow-up of Patients in the First Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial (ACST-1)

15-Year Stroke Prevention After Successful Carotid Endarterectomy for Asymptomatic Stenosis: Extended Post-trial Follow-up of Patients in the First Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial (ACST-1)

Is Hemispheric Hypoperfusion a Treatable Cause of Cognitive Impairment?

To review the current literature that supports the notion that cerebral hemodynamic compromise from internal carotid artery stenosis may be a cause of vascular cognitive impairment that is amenable to treatment by revascularization. Converging evidence suggests that successful carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting are associated with reversal of cognitive decline in many patients with severe but asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Most of these findings have been derived from cohort studies and comparisons with either normal or surgical controls. Failure to find treatment benefit in a number of studies appears to have been the result of patient heterogeneity or confounding from concomitant conditions independently associated with cognitive decline, such as heart failure and other cardiovascular risk factors, or failure to establish pre-procedure hemodynamic failure. Patients with severe carotid artery stenosis causing cerebral hemodynamic impairment may have a reversible cause of cognitive decline. None of the prior studies, however, were done in the context of a randomized clinical trial with large numbers of participants. The ongoing CREST-2 trial comparing revascularization with medical therapy versus medical therapy alone, and its associated CREST-H study determining whether cognitive decline is reversible among those with hemodynamic compromise may address this question.

P.097 Subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with a thromboembolic ischemic stroke- an unexpected observation

Atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke, and is a frequent cause for extra- and intra-cranial vessels stenosis. Here, we present an unusual case of ischemic stroke associated with intra-cranial vessel stenosis and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to carotid artery atheroma. A 64-year old female known for hypertension and dyslipidemia presented with a three-day history of three transient episodes (&lt; 30 minutes) of dysarthria and right hand weakness. An initial brain CT scan revealed left frontal SAH. She was admitted to our Stroke Unit for observation and management. CT-angiogram revealed 90% ICAs stenosis bilaterally with several short focal stenotic lesions, involving several left MCA branches. Brain MRI revealed acute infarcts in the left insula, external capsule and inferior frontal gyrus. The clinical picture was attributed to a thromboembolic left MCA ischemic stroke. She was managed with maximum medical therapy, and later underwent successful left carotid endarterectomy. The presence of SAH on our patient’s presenting CT scan lead to an initial radiological diagnosis of RCVS. However, subsequent imaging studies indicated that SAH had occurred in association with a thromboembolic ischemic stroke. Despite its rarity, this clinical association is important to recognize to avoid diagnostic confusion and guide appropriate management.

Denton Arthur Cooley, MD.

Denton Arthur Cooley, MD, a pioneering heart surgeon, died November 18, 2016, at age 96. He was born in Houston, TX, on August 22, 1920, to Ralph Clarkson Cooley and Mary Fraley Cooley. From the beginning, Cooley’s career in medicine and his contributions to humanity seem to have been foreshadowed. His father was a prominent Houston dentist, and the attending obstetrician at his birth was Dr Ernst William Bertner. Bertner would be part of the team that developed the renowned Texas Medical Center where Denton Cooley later established the now world-acclaimed Texas Heart Institute (THI). In the early 1890s, Cooley’s paternal grandfather, Daniel Denton Cooley, helped found the Houston Heights, a major suburb of the growing city of Houston. Denton A. Cooley’s pioneering career spanned the history of modern cardiovascular surgery. Beginning in the late 1940s, he developed many of today’s commonly used cardiovascular procedures and devices. Nevertheless, he is probably best known for performing the first successful human heart transplant in the United States (1968) and the world’s first human implantation of an artificial heart (1969). Many of Cooley’s other contributions, however, are equally important: the first repair of an aortic aneurysm (1949); the first repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (1954); the first repair of a ventricular septal defect that developed after a heart attack (1956); the first successful carotid endarterectomy (1956); new techniques for repairing diseased heart valves and congenital heart defects…the list goes on to include >30 such firsts. In some way, Cooley participated in every major development in cardiovascular surgery. With characteristic humility, he always said, “My good fortune professionally came from the fact that I began my career when heart surgery was in its infancy, when surgeons were free to discover and innovate. I’ve been a participant in so many breakthroughs primarily because …

Successful Carotid Endarterectomy in a Patient with Superior Thyroid Artery Originated from Common Carotid Artery

Successful Carotid Endarterectomy in a Patient with Superior Thyroid Artery Originated from Common Carotid Artery

Impact of Surgeon Experience During Carotid Endarterectomy Operation and Effects on Perioperative Outcomes.

ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of surgeon experience on complication and mortality rates of carotid endarterectomy operation.MethodsFifty-nine consecutive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy between January 2013 and February 2016 were divided into two groups. Patients who had been operated by surgeons performing carotid endarterectomy for more than 10 years were allocated to group 1 (experienced surgeons; n=34). Group 2 (younger surgeons; n=25) consisted of patients operated by surgeons independently performing carotid endarterectomy for less than 2 years. Both groups were compared in respect of operative results and postoperative complications.ResultsNo intergroup difference was found for laterality of the lesion or concomitant coronary artery disease. In group 1, signs of local nerve damage (n=2; 5.9%) were detected, whereas in group 2 no evidence of local nerve damage was observed. Surgeons in group 1 used local and general anesthesia in 3 (8.8%) and 31 (91.2%) patients, respectively, while surgeons in group 2 preferred to use local and general anesthesia in 1 (4%) and 24 (96%) patients, respectively. Postoperative stroke was observed in group 1 (n=2; 5.9%) and group 2 (n=2; 5.8%).ConclusionYounger surgeons perform carotid endarterectomy with similar techniques and have similar results compared to experienced surgeons. Younger surgeons rarely prefer using shunt during carotid endarterectomy. The experience and the skills gained by these surgeons during their training, under the supervision of experienced surgeons, will enable them to perform successful carotid endarterectomy operations independently after completion of their training period.

The first carotid endarterectomy

The first carotid endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis in the very elderly

The indication for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is uncertain in patients with asymptomatic severe (≥60% luminal narrowing according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria) carotid stenosis (ASCS), especially in the very elderly, because current evidence suggests that the risk of future stroke has been dropping in the past two decades owing to the recent advances in medical therapy. The aim of this observational study was to compare early and late outcomes in patients ≥80 years old with ASCS treated with CEA plus best medical treatment (BMT) or with BMT alone. From 2005 to 2012, 69 octogenarians with ASCS underwent CEA plus BMT (group 1), and another 54 received BMT alone (group 2). All operations were eversion CEAs. BMT included lipid-lowering drugs, new antiplatelet and antihypertensive agents, avoidance of smoking, careful blood pressure and glycemic control, and lifestyle changes. Follow-up with serial ultrasonographic examination was obtained in 118 patients for a median 4.4-year period. There were no perioperative (30-day) strokes or deaths and one transient ischemic attack (1.4%). One late minor stroke developed in a CEA patient (1.5%). No late restenoses or occlusions were detected. Five patients in group 2 (9.6%) became symptomatic (one transient ischemic attack and four minor strokes) and subsequently underwent successful CEA; all their carotid plaques were complicated by ulceration and intraplaque hemorrhage (with plaque progression in four cases), confirmed by computed tomography images. The rate of freedom from cerebral ischemic events at 5 years showed a significant benefit for elderly patients who had CEA vis-à-vis those who did not (98% vs 84%; P = .04), and so did the 5-year rate of freedom from ipsilateral carotid disease progression (100% vs 91%; P = .01). At 5 years, the mortality rate was comparable for elderly patients whether they had CEA or not (66% vs 68%; P = .65). CEA is a safe, effective, and durable treatment for ASCS in patients aged 80 years or more, carrying an insignificant perioperative stroke/death risk. CEA associated with BMT seems preferable to BMT alone in preventing the risk of ipsilateral ischemic events, without translating into a longer survival.

Correlation study of MRI intracranial hyperintense vessel sign and internal carotid artery stenosis

Objective To evaluate the correlation between intracranial hyperintense vessel sign (HVS) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR) and the degree of the stenosis of internal carotid artery (ICA).The effect of carotid endarterectomy(CEA) on HVS was assessed.Methods A retrospective analysis of MR FLAIR sequence and cerebral-cervical computed tomography angiography(CTA) was performed in 1 total of 491 patients.Of the 491 patients,41 treated with CEA were evaluated using their pre-and post-operative image data.Patients were divided into ICA stenosis group and non-stenosis group according to the CTA imaging findings.The ICA stenosis group was subdivided into unilateral group and bilateral stenosis group.Furthermore,we measured and graded the ICA of the unilateral stenosis group into seven stenotic degrees,they were＜50％(n=40),50％-＜60％(n=15),60％-＜70％(n=17),70％-＜80％ (n=6),80％-＜90％ (n=7),90％-＜100％ (n=23),100％ (n=24),respectively.Chi square test was used to analyze the occurrence rates of HVS between ICA stenosis and non-stenosis group,and between ICA unilateral and bilateral stenosis group,respectively.Spearman rank correlation was performed to evaluate the correlation between the presence of HVS and stenotic degrees of the ICA.For the 41 patients who underwent CEA,pre-and post-operative image data were compared,focusing on the presence or disappearance of the HVS on MR FLAIR imaging.Results HVS on FLAIR images were observed in 81 of 177 patients(45.76％) with ICA stenosis,and in 59 of 314 patients(18.79％) without ICA stenosis.The occurrence rate of HVS was significantly higher in patients with ICA stenosis than those without ICA stenosis (x2=40.40,P＜0.01).There was no statistical significance in the occurrence rates of HVS between ICA unilateral stenosis group and bilateral stenosis group(x2=0.24,P＞0.05).The occurrence rates of HVS of ICA graded as the seven stenotic degrees were 22.00％(8/40),26.67％(4/15),35.29％(6/17),33.33％ (2/6),42.86％ (3/7),69.57％ (16/23),83.33％ (20/24),respectively.There was a significant positive correlation between the occurrence rates of HVS and the degrees of ICA stenosis(r=0.964,P＜0.01).HVS disappeared in 19(86.36％) out of 22 patients with HVS on pre-operative MR images after CEA in The remaining HVS in 3(13.64％) patients was attributed to the failure of completely recanalization of ICA.Conclusions A close relationship exists between HVS and ICA stenosis.The presence of HVS indicates a high probability of the existence of severe ICA stenosis.A further assessment for ICA stenosis is warranted.HVS disappearance after successful CEA indicates that HVS can be a useful marker for the the evaluation of consequence associated with CEA. Key words: Carotid stenosis; Magnetic resonance imaging

History of Carotid Endarterectomy Then and Now

It seems the first successful carotid endarterectomy (CE) was done by Michael E. DeBakey1 in 1953, although the first published report of CE was by Eastcott et al2 in 1954. During the subsequent 2 decades, the number of these surgeries grew. In 1969, the Joint Study of Extracranial Arterial Occlusion, a methodologically imperfect study, reported that, in 2400 operations performed between 1961 and 1968, there was a surgical mortality of 4.5%, ranging from <2% to 36% among the 24 participating institutions, although there was a steady decline in surgical mortality during the 8 years.3 Fifteen thousand CEs were performed in the United States in 1971, and this grew to 34000 in 1976.4 By 1976, my colleague, David Sherman, and I were becoming troubled with the growth in the number of CEs because we were observing patients experiencing ischemic strokes and deaths in conjunction with these surgeries. We were at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine in Springfield, IL, observing the good and the bad results of CE. Our medical colleagues often asked us, “What is the complication rate for carotid endarterectomy in our two hospitals?” We replied, “We don’t know.” The time had come to answer the question. We initiated a retrospective study of 228 consecutive CEs during the arbitrary interval from January 1, 1970, to June 30, 1976, in our two 600-bed community hospitals to determine the perioperative stroke and mortality rate. Our primitive methodology is described in the results publication of the study.5 The combined stroke-mortality rate for our series of patients was 21.1% (48 of 228). Eleven CEs were performed for asymptomatic bruits, and the combined stroke-mortality rate was 18.2% (2 of 11). Fifty-seven CEs were performed for transient ischemic attacks in the symptomatic carotid artery distribution, and the combined stroke …

Carotid endarterectomy with local anesthesia and laryngeal mask airway/general anesthesia

Abstract There is no clear consensus as to the appropriate anesthetic technique for patients undergoing a carotid endarterectomy. Such patients may have comorbid conditions, such as coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, and others. The two main anesthetic approaches are general anesthesia, including an endotracheal tube, with neurological monitoring, and regional anesthesia that allows for an awake patient to be assessed neurologically. The objective of our report was to evaluate a novel anesthetic technique that combined general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) plus regional anesthesia in the form of bupivacaine injected into the surgical site. Anesthesia was maintained with desflurane 4%, so the patient emerged rapidly for neurological assessment at the conclusion of surgery. We report on a case of a 55-year-old patient who underwent a successful carotid endarterectomy using this hybrid technique of general anesthesia with LMA plus regional anesthesia. This technique was safe and effective, and the patient experienced no complications other than a hematoma on the left neck that was likely the result of long-term use of aspirin and Plavix. While further study is warranted, this hybrid technique of general anesthesia with LMA plus regional anesthesia holds promise for carotid endarterectomy patients.

Risk of Stroke From New Carotid Artery Occlusion in the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial-1

In the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial-1 (ACST-1), 3120 patients with tight asymptomatic carotid stenosis were randomly assigned to medical treatment alone or to carotid endarterectomy and appropriate medication. Successful carotid endarterectomy significantly reduced 10-year stroke risk in younger patients. This study was undertaken to determine the risk of new occlusion and stroke during trial follow-up. Patients with contralateral occlusion at trial entry (n=276) or incomplete duplex follow-up (n=137) were excluded. Risk of occlusion and stroke in patients with occlusion was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine risk factors for developing new occlusion and stroke. Median follow-up in 2707 patients was 80.0 months (interquartile range, 52.0-115.0). New occlusions occurred in 197 patients (1.1% per annum) but were more likely to occur in arteries with tight stenosis and in unoperated patients. Overall risk of stroke was 7.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6-8.7) and 15.5% (95% CI, 13.6-17.4) at 5 and 10 years, respectively; for patients with new occlusion, this significantly increased to 17.0% (95% CI, 11.6-22.4) and 20.8% (95% CI, 14.1-26.2), respectively (P<0.001). Stroke was significantly more likely to occur in patients developing occlusion (hazard ratio, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.26-2.51) irrespective of allocated treatment. New occlusions were uncommon after carotid endarterectomy in ACST-1. During long-term follow-up, occlusion and stroke were commoner among patients with ≥ 70% stenosis, most of whom had not undergone carotid endarterectomy. Occlusion was an independent prognostic risk factor for occurrence of stroke.