The clinical value of duplex surveillance following internal carotid artery reconstruction.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the benefit of a yearly duplex ultrasonography of both the reconstructed and the contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA).


METHODS
From 1985 to 1994, 1210 unilateral, primary ICA reconstructions were performed. Although these patients received yearly invitations, duplex follow-up was not available in 114 patients (9%).


RESULTS
At 5 years a stenosis of 50% or more was found in 9% and at 10 years in 14% of patients. During the follow-up period 20 patients developed a stenosis of 80-99%. Ten patients had a redo-procedure. The others remained asymptomatic, even though one patient developed an occlusion. A stroke occurred in 96 patients. 58 of these had no significant stenoses. 57% of all patients had no significant contralateral lesion at the time of the first procedure. In only 4% of these a contralateral CAE was performed during the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the above data, we would conclude that the clinical benefit of duplex surveillance is doubtful.
Lacroix
H
H
Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Nevelsteen
A
A
Beyens
G
G
Verhaege
R
R
Vermylen
J
J
Suy
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D018450:Disease Progression; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex