Carotid endarterectomy with contralateral carotid artery occlusion: is this a higher risk subgroup?

to evaluate early and mid-term term results of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patient with and without contralateral carotid occlusion.

between 1996 and 1999, 1324 CEAs were performed. In 82 patients contralateral carotid artery occlusion was present (group I); 1242 patients had patent contralateral carotid (group II). All patients were operated under general anaesthesia, and selective shunting was based on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). Ultrasonographic follow-up was performed at 1, 6 and 12 months and then once a year. Early results and follow-up data were analysed retrospectively.

in group I there was a significantly higher incidence of SEPs reduction and shunt insertion; however, there were no differences in terms of perioperative complications. The cumulative stroke and death rate at 30 days in group 1 and group 2 were 2.4% vs 1.4% (p=n.s.), respectively. At a mean follow-up of 15 months there were no differences between the two groups in terms of cumulative symptom-free survival.

the presence of contralateral carotid occlusion caused an increased use of shunt, but not in early complications rates.