Carotid endarterectomy in a low volume vascular centre.
BACKGROUND
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is considered the golden standard of treatment for carotid artery disease in selected patients.


METHODS
We studied retrospectively 246 CEAs performed in our centre from 2000-2008, and assessed the complications occurring during the first 30 days postoperatively. Surgical indications included symptomatic carotid stenosis > or = 60% and asymptomatic carotid stenosis > or = 75%. All patients underwent CEA with systematic use of a shunt, under general anesthesia. All arteriotomies were patched. All patients were transferred to ICU for 24 hours postoperatively. Mean hospital stay was 4.2 +/- 0.9 days. Ultrasound was performed 1 month postoperatively.


RESULTS
Death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) were considered as major postoperative complications during the first 30 days after surgery. One death (0.4%), one nonfatal MI (0.4%) and two TIAs (0.81%) were recorded, while no stroke was present.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that carotid endarterectomy can be safely performed in our low volume vascular centre. (246 CEAs in a nine year period).
Department of Vascular Surgery, Saint Joseph/Warquignies Hospital, Mons, Belgium. p_charalampoudis@yahoo.gr
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P
Charalampoudis
A
A
Therasse
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F
Ferdin
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001530:Belgium; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome