Associations of Perioperative Variables With the 30-Day Risk of Stroke or Death in Carotid Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Knappich, ChristophFrom the Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (C.K., A.K., M.S., H.-H.E.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Kuehnl, AndreasFrom the Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (C.K., A.K., M.S., H.-H.E.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Haller, BernhardInstitute of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (B.H.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Salvermoser, MichaelFrom the Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (C.K., A.K., M.S., H.-H.E.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Algra, AleDepartment of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care (A.A.), University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
Becquemin, Jean-PierreVascular Institute Paris East, Private Hospital Paul D’Egine, Ramsay Group, Champigny sur Marne, France (J.-P.B.)
Bonati, Leo H.Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Stroke Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom (L.H.B., M.M.B.)
Bulbulia, RichardMedical Research Council Population Health Research Unit (R.B.), Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Calvet, DavidINSERM U1266, Paris, France (D.C., J.-L.M.)
Fraedrich, GustavDepartment of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria (G.F.)
Gregson, JohnDepartment of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom (J.G.)
Halliday, AlisonNuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (A.H.)
Hendrikse, JeroenDepartment of Radiology (J.H.), University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
Howard, GeorgeDepartment of Biostatistics, UAB School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL (G.H.)
Jansen, OlavDepartment of Radiology and Neuroradiology, UKSH Campus Kiel, Germany (O.J.)
Malas, Mahmoud B.Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California San Diego, Health System (M.B.M.)
Ringleb, Peter A.Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Germany (P.A.R.)
Brown, Martin M.Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Stroke Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom (L.H.B., M.M.B.)
Brott, Thomas G.Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL (T.G.B.)
Morris, Dylan R.Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit (R.B., D.R.M.), Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Lewis, Steff C.Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (S.C.L.).
Eckstein, Hans-HenningFrom the Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (C.K., A.K., M.S., H.-H.E.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
English Background and Purpose— This analysis was performed to assess the association between perioperative and clinical variables and the 30-day risk of stroke or death after carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis.
Methods— Individual patient-level data from the 5 largest randomized controlled carotid trials were pooled in the Carotid Stenosis Trialists’ Collaboration database. A total of 4181 patients who received carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic stenosis per protocol were included. Determinants of outcome included carotid endarterectomy technique, type of anesthesia, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, shunting, antiplatelet medication, and clinical variables. Stroke or death within 30 days after carotid endarterectomy was the primary outcome. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) were estimated in multilevel multivariable analyses using a Poisson regression model.
Results— Mean age was 69.5±9.2 years (70.7% men). The 30-day stroke or death rate was 4.3%. In the multivariable regression analysis, local anesthesia was associated with a lower primary outcome rate (versus general anesthesia; aRR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.50–0.99]). Shunting (aRR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.05–1.95]), a contralateral high-grade carotid stenosis or occlusion (aRR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.02–2.47]), and a more severe neurological deficit (mRS, 3–5 versus 0–2: aRR, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.30–4.83]) were associated with higher primary outcome rates. None of the other characteristics were significantly associated with the perioperative stroke or death risk.
Conclusions— The current results indicate lower perioperative stroke or death rates in patients operated upon under local anesthesia, whereas a more severe neurological deficit and a contralateral high-grade carotid stenosis or occlusion were identified as potential risk factors. Despite a possible selection bias and patients not having been randomized, these findings might be useful to guide surgeons and anesthetists when treating patients with symptomatic carotid disease.