Carotid endarterectomy after recent stroke--how soon? An interim analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether timing of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was significant in terms of morbidity and mortality for significant carotid stenosis in a prospectively evaluated cohort of patients with recent stroke.


METHODS
A tailored protocol using contemporary neuro-imaging modalities including transcranial Doppler and non-invasive angiography. Standardised clinical scores, neurological deficit scores, an aetiopathogenic scale and disability stroke scales were used in the two group. Statistical analysis was done to compare differences in two groups: CEA done less than 6 weeks after stroke (group 1) and CEA done more than 6 weeks after stroke (group 2).


RESULTS
Patients formed part of the Durban Stroke Data Bank (N = 655), with 26 patients in group 1 (CEA a mean of 16 days after stroke) and 34 in group 2. There were no statistically significantly differences between the two groups with regard to demographic factors, clinical scales, neurological deficit scores and investigate findings. There was 1 post-CEA stroke and 1 death in each group (P = 0.781), which was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Timing of CEA after stroke may be unimportant with regard to mortality and morbidity in patients with relatively small stable neurological deficits. Other causative factors, as yet unclear, remain to be identified.
Durban Cerebrovascular Group, University of Natal.
M
M
Hoffmann
J V
JV
Robbs
A T
AT
Abdool Carrim
D000465:Algorithms; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors