Carotid clamping time as a risk factor for early restenosis after carotid endarterectomy.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to identify risk factors for early restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Prospective follow-up of 497 primary CEAs was performed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months by clinical assessment and duplex ultrasound to identify > or = 50% restenosis. RESULTS: Early restenosis occurred in 71 (14.3%) patients. By univariate analysis high carotid clamping time (CCT) (p = 0.002) and absence of shunt use (p = 0.03) were related to early restenosis. High CCT was the only independent predictor of early restenosis in a forward stepwise logistic regression model (OR = 2.25; CI 1.2-4.1; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid clamping time may be a novel risk factor for early restenosis.