The value of transcranial Doppler in carotid endarterectomy: report of 58 cases / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the role of transcranial Doppler (TCD) in carotid endarterectomy and the effect of carotid endarterectomy on extracranial carotid artery stenosis.Methods From January 2002 to December 2008, fifty eight patients (40 males and 18 females)with mean age of 64.5 years were treated in our hospital. Of these patients, forty had symptoms of cerebral ischemia, eighteen were asymptomatic. All the patients had 70% and up carotid artery stenosis. Forty one patients underwent simple suture closure of the arterial incision while nine patients had angioplasty with arterial patch (polyester) and eight with autologous great saphenous vein. TCD monitoring was used in the surgery of 32 patients excluding two patients using arterial shunt. Results Surgery was successful in all 58 cases except for deflected tongue-protrusion in five patients after operation, of which three recovered conservatively and two recovered after administration of cortical steroids for two weeks. Cerebral ischemic symptoms improved to a certain degree in all the 40 preoperative symptomatic patients. Cerebral hyperperfusion occurred in five of no TCD-monitoring patients ( 19.2% ), no hyperperfusion was found in TCD-monitored patients. Fifty three patients were followed up for a mean time of 42.5 months. Five patients died and three patients had carotid artery restenosis, of which two underwent PTA and stenting, one is still under surveillance.Conclusions Carotid endarterectomy is a safe and effective procedure for treating extracranial carotid artery stenosis. TCD monitoring is valuable for determining the use of arterial shunt and preventing postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion.