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PubMed1991

The carotid endarterectomy: experience with 260 cases and discussion of the indications.

During 1978 to 1989, 235 patients were operated upon with 260 procedures for cervical carotid endarterectomy. The patients were classified according to the presence or absence of ischaemic symptomatology, and for symptomatic patients, according to the reversibility or persistence of ischaemic symptoms. So the selection of patients was: reversible ischaemia 46%, stroke 29%, asymptomatic patients 25%. In the stroke group, no patient was operated on as an emergency, the endarterectomy was only performed after stabilization of the clinical state. Three subgroups were included in patients operated on for asymptomatic carotid stenosis: casual discovery 40%, treatment of the second carotid artery (previous endarterectomy for symptomatic contralateral stenosis) 34%, and treatment of the second carotid artery (previous ECIC by-pass for contralateral carotid occlusion) 26%. All patients were operated upon after angiographic exploration (femoral catheterisation in most cases), and after cerebral CT scan. The surgical technique included general anaesthesia, systematic shunting, endarterectomy after longitudinal arteriotomy, closure without patch. The operating microscope has been used since 1985. The surgical results were studied in terms of uneventful postoperative course (87%), reversible complications (8%) and long lasting complications (5%). The long lasting complications were of local origin (1%), of neurological origin (2%), of general origin (1%). Overall the operative outcome at 6 months was: return to previous clinical state 95%, neurological sequelae 2%, death 3%. In the patients operated on for asymptomatic carotid stenosis the overall outcome was: previous clinical state 97%, death 3%. The legitimacy of carotid endarterectomy procedure is discussed in relation to some recent pertinent literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Outcome analysis of carotid endarterectomy in Connecticut: the impact of volume and specialty.

The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between the surgeon's operative experience and specialty and the postoperative morbidity and mortality of carotid endarterectomy. All patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (code ICD-9CM 38.12) in Connecticut between October 1985 and September 1991 were retrospectively identified. A total of 3997 carotid endarterectomies were performed by 226 surgeons in four specialties: general, cardiac, vascular, and neurosurgery. Individual surgeon volume ranged from fewer than one per year to 27.5 per year (mean 2.9 carotid endarterectomies per year). Outcome was measured as a combined stroke and/or death percentage. The average combined stroke and/or death rate for the entire group was 4.9%. The combined stroke and/or death percentage was influenced significantly by the surgeon's annual volume. Surgeons who performed one or fewer carotid endarterectomies (43% of total surgeons) were 2.5 times more likely (p < 0.002) to have a poor postoperative outcome than those who performed 10 or more per year (9.3% of total surgeons). Overall there was a statistically significant correlation between a surgeon's annual volume and outcome, particularly for general surgeons.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1995

Intraoperative assessment of carotid endarterectomy: a comparison of techniques.

Routine intraoperative imaging of the carotid artery following carotid endarterectomy can detect defects at the site of endarterectomy that may lead to neurologic morbidity. A number of methods have been used to evaluate the completed endarterectomy. In this prospective study we compared subjective methods of assessment (hand-held, continuous-wave Doppler imaging with audible interpretation of signals) and objective methods of assessment (duplex ultrasonography with color flow and digital subtraction arteriography) with respect to their ability to detect operative abnormalities. Fifty-three carotid endarterectomies were evaluated by means of all methods of assessment. Six patients had significant abnormalities in which the vessel was reopened and the abnormality confirmed. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting abnormalities for each method are, respectively: duplex ultrasonography with color flow, 100% and 100%; digital subtraction arteriography, 66% and 95.7%; and continuous-wave Doppler imaging with audible interpretation of signals, 16% and 97.8%. There was one (1.8%) operative carotid neurologic complication during the postoperative period and follow-up (stroke due to vein patch rupture on postoperative day 2). These data suggest that an objective rather than a subjective method of assessing carotid endarterectomy is more useful in detecting operative abnormalities and that duplex ultrasonography with color flow is as useful as digital subtraction arteriography.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed1986

Extraperitoneal iliac endarterectomy in the treatment of multilevel lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.

The traditional approach to the surgical correction of lower extremity ischemia resulting from combined aortoiliac and femoropopliteal disease has consisted of aortofemoral bypass as the initial step. This operation is of considerable magnitude, mandates the use of prosthetic material, and may not adequately relieve distal ischemia. Extraperitoneal iliac endarterectomy is an operation of lesser magnitude and does not require the use of prosthetic material. When applied to selected patients with multilevel disease, it can be conveniently and expeditiously combined with distal bypass and deep femoral repair, femorofemoral bypass, or both for the simultaneous and complete correction of multilevel disease. In the past 10 years, 65 patients underwent simultaneous extraperitoneal iliac endarterectomy in combination with an outflow procedure for the correction of multilevel lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. Using a two-team approach, operative time averaged 3 hours. Operative mortality was 5 percent. The procedure was combined with femoral endarterectomy in 60 patients, with femoropopliteal-to-tibial bypass in 30 patients, and with femorofemoral bypass in 10 patients. The life table patency for iliac endarterectomy was 100 percent at 6 years, whereas patency for the associated outflow procedures was 87 percent at 6 years. These results indicate that extraperitoneal iliac endarterectomy is uniquely suited for combination with distal procedures to permit the simultaneous repair of combined aortoiliac and femoropopliteal disease in a single operation of reasonable magnitude.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Controversial aspects of coronary endarterectomy.

Between 1980 and 1987, 635 patients underwent coronary bypass grafting combined with coronary endarterectomy. A total of 728 vessels were endarterectomized and grafted. There were 15 early deaths (2.3%). The mortality rate was higher (7.8%) for multiple-vessel endarterectomy (p less than 0.05). The ratio of MB fraction of creatine kinase to total creatine kinase was greater than or equal to 0.10 in 48% of the cases. The first consecutive 132 survivors were followed for an average of 16 months (range, 4 months to 5 years). No late deaths occurred. Fifty-nine unselected patients underwent postoperative recatheterization at a mean interval of 18 months. An improvement in heart wall contractility could be detected in 13 patients (16.5%) and deterioration in 14 patients (17.7%). A more detailed analysis of wall contractility showed a higher rate of improvement in the posterior wall than in the anterior wall (p greater than 0.05). Furthermore, the better the contractility before operation, the greater the rate of deterioration after operation (p less than 0.05). Despite an average of 55% of all endarterectomized vessels being occluded or severely restenosed, 90% of the patients were clinically improved. A multiparametric analysis revealed that the revascularization of myocardial areas that required endarterectomy had no significant influence with respect to clinical improvement. Endarterectomy should be limited, whenever possible, to myocardial areas with already impaired contractility. Endarterectomy of multiple branches should be treated with caution because the risk of deterioration is potentiated, with a significantly higher perioperative mortality rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Adjunctive coronary endarterectomy: improved safety in modern cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Advances in cardiac surgery have led to an improved safety record for coronary endarterectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 64 patients who underwent adjunctive coronary endarterectomy between August 1988 and February 1992. There were 44 men, and the mean age was 65 years. Forty-one patients (64%) had sustained a previous infarction. Overall, endarterectomy was performed on 76 vessels, and the right coronary system was involved in 46 (61%). RESULTS: The postoperative infarction rate was 5%. Incomplete occlusion ( < 90% stenosis) of the endarterectomized vessel significantly increased the risk of infarction (p < 0.05). There were two early deaths (3%). The mean follow-up was 46 months. Clinically, 91% of the survivors were angina free, and 80% had no symptoms of heart failure at the time of follow-up. Left ventricular function had improved in 36% of those restudied (5/14). A total of 17 recatheterizations were done at a mean interval of 19 months after operation. The endarterectomy graft patency rate was 80% (16/20) compared with 78% (28/36) for conventional grafts ( p = not significant). The actuarial survival rates were 89% and 71% at 1 year and 5 years, respectively. A history of previous infarction was significantly associated with higher long-term mortality (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results demonstrate that in modern cardiac surgery, coronary endarterectomy is safer than previously thought and can be used effectively to achieve complete revascularization in selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Experimental arteriosclerosis treated by conventional and laser endarterectomy.

Open laser endarterectomy was compared to standard surgical endarterectomy in the rabbit arteriosclerosis model. The aorta was exposed by a thoracoabdominal exploration in 16 rabbits. In Group I (8 rabbits), a conventional endarterectomy (CE) was performed with standard vascular instruments. In Group II (8 rabbits), laser endarterectomy (LE) was performed with an argon ion laser (488 nm and 514.5 nm) at a power of 1.0 W. Aortas were fixed, serially sectioned (6 micron) and stained (H +/- E) following each procedure. Gross and light microscopic examination revealed identical results for the endarterectomy surfaces of CE and LE. The proper cleavage plane within the media was developed with both techniques and the remaining arterial wall was not damaged with either procedure. The end points of LE were consistently superior to those of CE because of phototherapy fusion. The LE end points were tapered and the intima was fused. Intimal flaps were seen in 2/8 CE experiments and the remaining end points exhibited an uneven transition. LE required an average energy density of 124 +/- 9 J/cm2. We conclude that LE provides a satisfactory method for the in vivo evaluation of laser radiation upon arteriosclerotic arteries. LE may be the way to begin clinical laser trials.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of contact and free beam laser endarterectomy.

Free beam laser endarterectomy (LE) and contact laser endarterectomy (CLE) were compared in 15 arteriosclerotic New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits underwent balloon catheter trauma to the thoracoabdominal aorta and were fed a 2% cholesterol diet for 18 weeks. Thoracoabdominal exploration was performed under general anesthesia and multiple endarterectomies were performed in each rabbit. Atheromas were dissected from arteries with laser radiation and end points were welded in place with laser radiation. LEs (N = 8) were performed with argon ion radiation delivered through a 400 microns fiberoptic. Power was kept constant at 1 W and the average fluence was 97.5 +/- 6.6 J/cm2. CLEs were performed with conical sapphire probes powered by either argon ion radiation (N = 12) or Nd-YAG radiation (N = 10). Power used was 1 W to 4 W for each laser. Average argon ion fluence was 117.8 +/- 3.1 J/cm2 and average Nd-YAG fluence was 611.1 +/- 34.4 J/cm2. Following the operations, aortas were removed, fixed, serially sectioned, and stained. Microscopic study revealed welded end points with LE but not with CLE. There were no perforations with LE. There were 11/12 perforations with argon ion CLE and 8/10 perforations with Nd-YAG CLE. Free beam laser endarterectomy is superior to contact laser endarterectomy for experimental atheromas.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1994

Thrombin generation in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: implications in acute vessel wall closure and antithrombotic therapy.

We determined the extent and duration of activation of coagulation during the first 24 hours after carotid endarterectomy. Serial blood samples were collected before, during and after surgery from 10 patients with severe stenosis (> 70%) undergoing carotid endarterectomy with heparinization. Platelet poor plasmas prepared from these samples, were analysed for activated prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 and thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) levels, using commercially available ELISA kits. F1 + 2 and TATs were measured as indices of thrombin generation and inhibition respectively. Baseline F1 + 2 and TAT levels were 1.19 +/- 0.27 nMol/ml and 17 +/- 10 pMol/ml, respectively. Neither the F1 + 2 nor TAT level increased during surgery at a time when the patients were heparinized. However, both the F1 + 2 and TAT levels increased significantly within 3 hours after surgery and after the heparin had been neutralized with protamine, (p < 0.01). Moreover, both the F1 + 2 and TAT levels remained elevated in 75% of the patients for at least 24 hours, p < 0.01. We conclude that i) thrombin generation is significant post surgery in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy despite their receiving heparin during surgery; ii) heparin may not be the ideal anticoagulant for carotid endarterectomy; and iii) persistent thrombin generation may contribute to early post-endarterectomy ischemic events.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Factors leading to early recurrence of carotid plaque after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy to remove atherosclerotic plaque restores blood flow and reduces the risk of cerebral ischemia. In some patients, however, postoperative plaque recurrence reduces the clinical benefit of carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: Using duplex ultrasound scanning, we evaluated carotid artery restenosis in 63 endarterectomy patients followed for an average of 26.6 months after surgery. RESULTS: During follow-up, two-thirds of the patients showed some observable vessel wall thickening. A negative correlation was found between years since smoking cessation and recurrence of carotid plaque. Maximum benefit was seen when smoking cessation occurred at least 1 year before endarterectomy. The least benefit was seen when smoking continued or when cessation occurred within 1 year of endarterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking status was the only cardiovascular risk factor independently and significantly associated with recurrent plaque thickness.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Technique and clinical results of carotid stump back-pressure to determine selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

A method of confirming carotid back pressure accuracy, variability during carotid clamping, and the clinical results with a modified back pressure shunt criterion were evaluated in 665 carotid endarterectomies. Mean arterial pressure, back pressure, and internal jugular vein pressure were measured. Cerebral perfusion pressure (back pressure-jugular vein pressure) and the collateral to hemisphere vascular resistance ratio, (ratio = [arterial pressure-back pressure]/[back pressure-jugular vein pressure]) were calculated. A shunt was used when cerebral perfusion pressure less than 18 mm Hg. Back pressure accuracy was confirmed by test occlusion of the internal carotid artery distal to the plaque. Initial back pressure values were falsely high in 83 (12.5%) carotid endarterectomies. The mean SD (n = 665, mm Hg) were arterial pressure = 84.0 +/- 9.06, back pressure = 41.0 +/- 15.9, jugular vein pressure = 6.2 +/- 3.9, cerebral perfusion pressure = 35.1 +/- 5.7, and resistance ratio = 1.85 +/- 1.44. Perfusion pressure was less than 18 mm Hg in 82 (12.3%), of which 74 (11.1%) were shunted, and 8 (1.2%) had perfusion pressure increased greater than or equal to 18 mm Hg during carotid endarterectomy with phenylephrine. Back pressure was less than 25 mm Hg in 107 (16.1%), less than or equal to 25 in 114 (17.1%), and less than 50 mm Hg in 481 (72.3%). Pressures were continuously monitored during 28 carotid endarterectomies, and all had a positive linear relationship between arterial pressure and back pressure, and minimal variability in the back pressure/arterial pressure and resistance ratios. Only two patients (0.3%) had a new neurologic deficit in the first 12 hours after carotid endarterectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The cleavage plane in semi-closed endarterectomy of the superficial femoral artery: a histologic study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the cleavage plane in semiclosed endarterectomy of the superficial femoral artery, a histologic study of endarterectomy cores of 10 consecutive patients was performed. Superficial femoral artery occlusive disease consisted of multiple stenoses in one and an occlusion in the other cases. METHODS: Microscopic paraffin cross-sections were made every half centimeter of the endarterectomy core. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and with elastica van Gieson. Microscopic studies were conducted of a total of 484 sections. Intima, internal elastic membrane, media, external elastic membrane, and adventitia were identified, if present. RESULTS: When the procedure of separating the diseased intima from the remainder of the arterial wall was commenced, the cleavage plane was located between the internal elastic membrane and the media in most cases. In two cases the cleavage plane was located inside the intima, and in one case parts of the media were removed as well. During passage of the ring stripper through the artery, the location of the cleavage plane changes and extends into the media. In one patient a residual stenosis was located in the segment of the core in which only the intima and internal elastic membrane were removed. In two patients the endarterectomy core contained parts of the external plastic membrane as well. During passage of the ring stripper through the artery, the location of the cleavage plane changes. In some segments the media is left intact, whereas in other segments the media is partially or totally removed. The reason for the variability of the cleavage plane rests in the nature of the pathologic behavior of the atheroma. The tissue necrosis that is part of the atheromatous complex frequently dips beyond the internal elastic membrane into the media and even into the external elastic membrane and adventitia. CONCLUSIONS: The question remains as to whether the location of the cleavage plane has an influence on the long-term results of endarterectomy. Long-term follow-up studies are required to supply us with the answer.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Eversion endarterectomy in surgery of the internal carotid artery.

A total of 361 eversion endarterectomies of the internal carotid artery have been carried out on 348 patients between January 1991 and December 1992. Of these patients, 126 were women and 222 were men; average age was 62.9 (range 42-84) years. Some 239 patients had hemispheric symptoms; 37 symptomless patients had a carotid endarterectomy before major vascular reconstruction, and 21 had the operation combined with heart surgery (19 aortocoronary bypasses, two valve replacements). In nine cases (2.5%) a 6-mm interposition graft was used because of unsuccessful eversion endarterectomy. Postoperative bleeding occurred in six patients (1.7%) and postoperative stroke in seven (1.9%); of these patients, four died and two still have mild neurological symptoms. Four reocclusions occurred during the first 6 months that the new method was used. Eversion endarterectomy of the internal carotid artery is a safe and useful technique and is comparable with standard endarterectomies. This technique may reduce the risk of restenosis.

Carotid Artery, Internal↗
PubMed2005

Long segmental reconstruction of diffusely diseased left anterior descending coronary artery with left internal thoracic artery with or without endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: The diffusely diseased left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) remains a challenge for both interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. In this study we assessed the surgical outcomes obtained from coronary artery reconstruction, with or without endarterectomy, for a diffusely diseased LAD. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty patients were treated with an extended LAD reconstruction, with or without endarterectomy, as part of coronary artery bypass grafting to achieve complete revascularization. The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was used to reconstruct the LAD in all patients. There were 197 men and 53 women. The mean age was 65.1 +/- 9.0 years. Coronary artery reconstruction was performed without endarterectomy in 183 patients (73.2%) and with endarterectomy in 67 patients (26.8%). The off-pump technique was used in 204 patients (81.6%). RESULTS: The operative mortality was 1.6%. Perioperative myocardial infarction was observed in 6.4% of the patients. The mean LAD incision length was 4.3 +/- 1.7 cm. The patency rate of the LITA to LAD was 98.6% by early angiographic examination (mean, 7.5 +/- 2.6 postoperative days). There were 3 late cardiac-related deaths at a mean follow-up of 21.2 +/- 10.7 months. The actuarial survival was 92.0% at 45 months. Freedom from death or cardiac events was 88.1% at 45 months. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery reconstruction, with or without endarterectomy, using the left internal thoracic artery for a diffusely diseased LAD can be performed with acceptable early and midterm results.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Early and late outcome after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery with coronary endarterectomy: a single-center 10-year experience.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to review the early and late results of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCABG) with coronary endarterectomy in patients undergoing surgical revascularization at our institution. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2004, of 680 OPCABG patients in a single surgeon's practice (W.R.D.), 70 patients (10.29%) who underwent concomitant coronary endarterectomy were studied. The mean age was 63.6 +/- 9.29 years. Thirty-three patients (55%) were Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV, and 24 patients (40%) were New York Heart Association class III or IV. Eighteen patients (35%) had impaired left ventricular function. The mean EuroSCORE of these patients was 5.9 +/- 1.8. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (81%) underwent right coronary artery endarterectomy, and 12 patients (17%) underwent left anterior descending artery endarterectomy (8 left interior mammary arteries used as conduits). Four patients (5.7%) had two vessels endarterectomized. The mean number of grafts were 2.0 +/- 0.4. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.85% (n = 2). Three patients (4.3%) suffered from postoperative myocardial infarction, and 3 patients (4.3%) required postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation. Mean intensive therapy unit stay was 17.6 +/- 8.1 hours. Patients were extubated after a mean of 10.38 +/- 4.9 hours. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.1 +/- 2.0 days. Fourteen patients (20%) had postoperative atrial fibrillation, and only 1 patient (1.42%) had a transient stroke with complete recovery. There were no conversions to cardiopulmonary bypass. A mean of 0.86 +/- 0.17 units of blood were transfused postoperatively. There was one reopening for bleeding, and 1 patient had renal failure requiring hemofiltration. The median follow-up was 4.91 years, 90% of patients were angina free, and the actuarial survival at 10 years was 78.04% +/- 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft survery with coronary endarterectomy is feasible and achieves surgical revascularization in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Extended BSI for continuous EEG monitoring in carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid endarterectomy is a common procedure as a secondary prevention of stroke, and is often performed with selective shunting. Although various EEG parameters have been proposed to determine if the brain is at risk during carotid artery clamping, the common procedure is still the visual assessment of the EEG. Here, we propose an extension to the previously described brain symmetry index (BSI) [van Putten M, Peters J, Mulder S, de Haas J, Bruijninckx C, Tavy D. A brain symmetry index (BSI) for online EEG monitoring in carotid endarterectomy. Clin Neurophysiol 2004, 115(5), 1189-94.], as an additional quantitative criterion for shunt need in carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: An extension of the Brain Symmetry Index was implemented to capture both spatial (hemispheric) (sBSI) and temporal changes (tBSI) in the EEG. In this pilot study, the method is exemplified by simulation and by application to EEG records from 25 patients who underwent a carotid endarterectomy. RESULTS: Simulations show that hemispheric asymmetry is captured by changes in sBSI, only, while temporal symmetry changes, not due to changes in hemispheric asymmetry, are reflected by changes in tBSI. Combinations of changes induced changes in both parameters. This was confirmed by analysis 25 EEG records. Unilateral EEG changes during test-clamping are reflected by DeltasBSI>0.05, diffuse changes by DeltatBSI>0.02 and combinations by simultaneous changes in both features. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, we present a doublet of quantitative EEG features, that in principle detects any change in the spectral characteristics of the EEG, decomposing the changes into a measure that captures spatial symmetry changes (sBSI), and a measure that quantifies diffuse temporal changes, that are not due to changes in spatial symmetry (tBSI). Both features are normalized with values ranging from [0-1], and can easily be implemented on-line to support the visual analysis of the EEG in the decision for selective shunting. SIGNIFICANCE: Quantitative real-time EEG analysis will assist in the EEG interpretation for selective shunting in carotid endarterectomy.

Brain↗
PubMed2005

Carotid endarterectomy after ischemic stroke--is there a justification for delayed surgery?

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between outcome of carotid surgery and wait after ischemic stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data from patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy after ischemic stroke. We investigated the time interval between the event and endarterectomy in relation to surgical results and complications. RESULTS: Between January 2000 and December 2003, 104 patients were scheduled to undergo carotid endarterectomy after a recent stroke. Endarterectomy was performed within 6 h in seven patients (6.7%); within 4 weeks in 29 (27.9%); 4 weeks or more in 62 (59.6%) and six (5.8%) patients received no further therapy. Perioperative complications among patients treated within 4 weeks were 3.4% and were comparable to those treated after 4 weeks (4.8%). However, more than 12% of the patients awaiting operation experienced a new cerebrovascular event (ischemic stroke or carotid occlusion), most of them occurred in the 3rd or 4th week after the initial event. CONCLUSION: Our data indicates, that carotid endarterectomy can be performed with a comparable risk within a short delay after stroke. In addition severe cerebrovascular events occurring within the waiting period may be avoided.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Protruding aortic arch atheromas: risk of stroke during heart surgery with and without aortic arch endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Stroke occurs in 1% to 7% of heart surgery. Aortic arch atherosclerosis is a risk factor for intraoperative stroke, and endarterectomy has been proposed to prevent stroke during heart surgery in patients with arch atheromas. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 3404 patients undergoing heart surgery between 1990 and 1996. Use of transesophageal echocardiography was unselected and based on equipment availability. Aortic arch atheromas (>/=5 mm, or mobile) were seen in 268 (8%) patients. They were evaluated for intraoperative stroke (confirmed by a neurologist and cerebral infarction on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). Arch endarterectomy was performed in 43 patients as an adjunct to their cardiac procedure in an attempt to prevent intraoperative stroke. The intraoperative stroke rate in all 268 patients with atheromas was high (15.3%). On univariate analysis, age, previous stroke, and arch endarterectomy were significantly associated with intraoperative stroke. On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio 3.9, P =.01) and arch endarterectomy (odds ratio 3.6, P =.001) were independently predictive of intraoperative stroke. Mortality rate in all 268 patients was high (14.9%). These patients with atheromas also had a long recovery room, intensive care unit, and total hospital length of stay (48 days). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with protruding aortic arch atheromas are at high risk for intraoperative stroke, significant and multiple morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and death resulting from heart surgery. Aortic arch endarterectomy is strongly associated with intraoperative stroke; its use should be carefully considered in light of these results.

Aged↗