[Simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and coronary revascularization: indications and results]. / Simultánní karotická endarterektomie a koronární revaskularizace: indikace a výsledky.

AIM: Evaluation of operative results and complications in high-risk patients who underwent combined carotid and coronary revascularization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Combined operation--carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was performed in the period 2000-2009 in 68 patients. Simultaneous operation was indicated in patients with unstable angina pectoris and 1. symtomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis > or = 50%, or 2. bilateral asymptomatic ICA stenosis > or = 60% or 3. asymptomatic ICA stenosis > or = 60% combined with contralateral ICA occlusion. Combined operations represented 5.8% of whole CEA series. Mean age was 69.9 (51-82) years, men were 46, women 22. Carotid angiography proved unilateral (always symptomatic) ICA stenosis in 25 patients, bilateral ICA stenosis in 35 patients and ICA stenosis combined with contralateral carotid occlusion in 8 patients. Neurological preoperative symptomatology: TIA was present in u 20 patients, minor stroke in 6 and major stroke in 5 patients. 37 patients were asymptomatic. One CABG was performed in 5 patients, 2 CABG in 20 patients, 3 CABG in 19 patients and 4 CABG in 6 patients. The rest of 18 patients had CABG operation combined with valve procedure. Comorbidity: hypertension 100%, diabetes mellitus 57.3%, hyperlipidemia 60.3%. Shunt was selectively used in 4.4%. The need for shunt was established using back stump pressure and near infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: Mortality was 8.8% (6/68). The cause of death were multiorgan failure in two cases, ipsilateral stroke in two patients, respiratory insufficiency and cardiac failure due to graft occlusion both in one patient. Good recovery was recorded in 91.2%. CONCLUSION: Combined carotid and coronary revascularization has acceptable neurological morbidity/mortality in high risk patients. Strict requirement is thorough selection of patients.

Endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis under local anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: In this article, we present our experience with such operations performed under local anaesthesia. METHODS: From January 1997 to November 2007, there were 387 patients operated on for asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Patient data were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty-day neurological morbidity and mortality from six different subgroups were analysed and compared. The numbers of perioperative transient ischaemic attacks, as well as surgical and other perioperative complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall morbidity and mortality was 1.8% (seven patients). Stroke was noted in 1.3% (five patients). Transitory ischaemic attacks within the first 30 days were observed in 1.6% (six patients). Only those patients who had intraluminal shunt insertion were found to have significantly higher morbidity and mortality. (p = 0.000018). Myocardial infarction was observed in 0.5% (two patients), one fatal. CONCLUSION: We have achieved acceptable morbidity and mortality rates (1.8%) according to the parameters set by previous studies such as Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study and Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial as well as American Heart Association and European Stroke Organisation guidelines. All surgeries were done under local anaesthesia. Shunts were inserted in 22 cases (5.68%).

[Ocular symptoms as an indication for carotid endarterectomy]. / Okulární symptomy jako indikace karotické endarterektomie.

Ocular symptoms can be the first sign of carotid artery stenosis. In our carotid endarterectomy patients group were ocular symptoms present in 15%, as the only sign (without accompanying neurological signs) in 10.5%. Amaurosis fugax was a dominant sign in 56 cases, blindness in 5, quadrantanopia in 3; trochlear and oculomotor nerve paresis in one case. Angiography finding of more than 60% ICA stenosis according NASCET criteria was an indication for surgery. The operative technique per se was a microsurgical endarterectomy with selective peroperative shunt application. The 30-d morbidity was 3%--with one case of central retinal artery embolization and subsequent blindness and another case of major residual neurological deficit due to hyperperfusion syndrome and the resultant capsular hemorrhage. Shunt was applied in 3% of cases and microscope was used always since the beginning of the dissection up to the final suture. Considering low perioperative morbidity/mortality rates the carotid endarterectomy represents an important means of brain ischaemia profylaxis. In the process of hemodynamically significant ICA stenosis, indication for surgical management the authors emphasize the role of ocular signs and symptoms and thus the importance of an ophthalmology consultant.