Improvement of carotid blood flow after carotid endarterectomy--evaluation using intraoperative ultrasound flow measurement.
OBJECTIVE
to examine the relationship between the degree of extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and changes in the ipsilateral ICA blood flow after carotid endarterectomy (CEA).


METHODS
in a prospective study we studied 51 patients with unilateral 60-99% ICA stenosis (median degree 84%, asymptomatic stenosis n = 13, symptomatic stenosis n = 38). The degree of ICA diameter stenosis was determined by ex-vivo plastination of the surgically removed atherosclerotic specimen and video-assessed planimetry. Intraoperative transit time ultrasound flow measurements of the carotid arteries were performed before and after CEA. Blood flow changes were assessed by mathematical approximations. Statistics were done by use of the Wilcoxon signed Rank test.


RESULTS
common carotid artery (CCA) and ICA median blood flow increased after CEA from 370 and 130 ml/min to 450 and 282 ml/min, respectively (p <.001). The relative increase of ICA blood flow was 5% and 18% for 60-69% and 70-79% ICA stenosis (n.s.) but 70% and 247% for 80-89% and 90-99% stenosis (p <.001 each). Mathematical evaluation (fourth-polynomal function) determined a significant increase of carotid blood flow after CEA in ICA stenosis of > or =82.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
in the absence of severe contralateral ICA occlusive disease a significant increase of ipsilateral ICA blood flow by CEA can be expected in patients with an ICA stenosis of > or =82.3% (linear degree of stenosis, ECST criteria).
Eckstein
H-H
HH
Clinic for Vascular Surgery-Ludwigsburg, Teaching Hospital of the University of Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, D-71640 Heidelberg, Posilipostrasse 4, Germany.
Eichbaum
M
M
Klemm
K
K
Doerfler
A
A
Ringleb
P
P
Bruckner
T
T
Allenberg
J-R
JR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*