A 5-year review of carotid endarterectomy in a vascular unit using a computerised audit system

BIPAS, a computerised vascular audit has been used to analyse the results of 203 carotid endarterectomies performed over a 5-year period in a vascular unit. In addition, all but two patients have been followed up with regular duplex scans. The indications and surgical techniques have remained similar over the study period though preoperative carotid arteriography is no longer considered essential and intraoperative monitoring with transcranial Doppler insonation is becoming routine. There were six perioperative deaths and 20 postoperative neurological defects. However, only three survivors had any long-term disability. It was not possible to identify any particular patients at high risk of perioperative stroke, although simultaneous major surgery and significant bilateral carotid endarterectomy seemed to be more hazardous. Routine follow-up using duplex scanning identified patients with late occlusion (5%) and restenosis (8%), but only three patients (1.5%) suffered a late stroke. Once the perioperative hazards of death and permanent stroke (4.4% in this series) have been overcome, carotid endarterectomy provides good protection against subsequent stroke.