Carotid endarterectomy in patients less than 50 years old.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the results of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a young population with premature atherosclerosis with the results of an older control group, examining perioperative morbidity and mortality data, recurrent stenosis and symptoms, late stroke, and survival data.


METHODS
We retrospectively studied 26 patients less than 50 years old (mean, 43.2 +/- 3.8 years) and 30 patients greater than 55 years old (mean, 69.1 +/- 7.4 years) who underwent CEA during the same time period. Data were obtained regarding demographics, atherosclerotic risk factors, indication for CEA, perioperative complications, recurrent stenosis and symptoms, late stroke, and survival.


RESULTS
Smoking was more prevalent among young patients who underwent CEA (92% vs 70%; p = 0.036). Young patients were also more likely to be symptomatic at presentation (92% vs 57%; p = 0.003). The perioperative mortality rate (0% vs 0%) and neurologic morbidity rate (0% vs 3%; p = 1.000) were low for the study patients. During a mean follow-up of 67 +/- 42.7 months, there was no significant difference in survival rate (5-year survival rate, 93% vs 81%; p = 0.373), rate of late ipsilateral (4% vs 3%) and contralateral (4% vs 3%) stroke, restenosis and occlusion (26.9% vs 14.3%), recurrent symptoms (22% vs 17%), reoperation (11.5% vs 5.7%), or contralateral disease (17% vs 23%) development that required surgery for the study or the control cohorts.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that there is a high incidence of smoking and symptomatic presentation among young patients in whom carotid occlusive disease develops. CEA may be performed in young patients with low perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. Recurrent disease, late stroke, and survival rates are not significantly different than for older patients. Follow-up with serial duplex ultrasound and reoperation for symptomatic and high-grade asymptomatic restenosis may decrease the risk of late stroke.
Martin
G H
GH
Department of General Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, USA.
Allen
R C
RC
Noel
B L
BL
Talkington
C M
CM
Garrett
W V
WV
Smith
B L
BL
Pearl
G J
GJ
Thompson
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors