Procedural risk following carotid endarterectomy in the hyperacute period after onset of symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

There have been concerns that performing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the hyperacute period after onset of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke may be associated with a significant increase in the procedural risk that could offset any long-term benefit to the patient. The aim of this audit was to determine the 30-day risk of stroke/death after CEA in symptomatic patients, stratified for delay from the most recent neurological event, mode of presentation, and age.

METHODS

Retrospective audit in 475 recently symptomatic patients between October 1, 2008, and April 24, 2013.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients (9%) underwent surgery <48 hours of their most recent event, with a 30-day death/stroke rate of 2.4% (1/41). The procedural risk was 1.8% in 167 patients who underwent surgery within 3-7 days (3/167), falling to 0.8% in 133 patients who underwent surgery between 8 and 14 days (1/133) and 0.8% in 134 patients whose surgery took place after >14 days had elapsed (1/134). Overall, 208 (44%) underwent surgery within 7 days of their most recent neurological event (30-day risk = 1.9%), while 341 (72%) underwent CEA within 14 days (30 day risk = 1.5%). There was no evidence of any systematic differences in procedural risk by operating in the hyperacute period relating to mode of presentation (TIA, stroke, amaurosis) or age (<80 years; >80 years).

CONCLUSIONS

This audit found no evidence that the procedural risk was increased when CEA was performed in the hyperacute period whether this time period was defined as <48 hours, <7 days, or <14 days.