title: Very Early Carotid Endarterectomy After Intravenous Thrombolysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The timing of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) after thrombolysis is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to analyse a cohort of patients undergoing urgent endarterectomy after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational study. Prospective databases were reviewed and matched to identify patients who underwent CEA early after intravenous thrombolysis (2009-14). The focus was carotid surgery performed within 12 hours of stroke onset in patients with a high grade (≥70%) symptomatic carotid stenosis, associated with vulnerable plaques or stroke in evolution, and evidence of a significant salvageable ischaemic penumbra on perfusion computed tomography scan. Demographic and clinical information, as well as data on relevant outcomes were extracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty four consecutive stroke patients who underwent CEA within 2 weeks of thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke and ipsilateral high grade carotid stenosis were identified. In 11 patients the surgical procedure was performed within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms. All patients showed a clinical improvement after combined treatment. The 3 month outcome was favourable (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2) in 10 patients. No haemorrhagic complications were registered. There was neither peri-operative stroke nor stroke within 3 months of surgery. One patient died from acute myocardial infarction 3 days after intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experience suggests that very early CEA after thrombolysis, aimed at removing the source of potential embolisation and restoring blood flow, may be safe and can lead to a favourable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Neurologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azzini
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgico-Specialistiche, Università di Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Neurologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Vascolare, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Traina
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Neurologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sette
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Neuroradiologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fainardi
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Vascolare, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mascoli
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgico-Specialistiche, Università di Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara-Cona, Italy. Electronic address: cti@unife.it.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casetta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents
keywords: Carotid endarterectomy; Intravenous thrombolysis; Ischaemic stroke