Surgical Treatment of Carotid Artery Disease

The rationale for operating on patients with carotid artery disease is to prevent stroke. It has been estimated that in 50 to 80% of patients who experience an ischemic stroke, the underlying cause is a lesion in the distribution of the carotid artery, usually in the vicinity of the carotid bifurcation. Appropriate identification and intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of ischemic stroke. Carotid endarterectomy for both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis has been extensively evaluated in prospective, randomized trials. Surgical reconstruction of the carotid artery yields the greatest benefits when done by surgeons who can keep complication rates to an absolute minimum. The majority of complications associated with carotid arterial procedures are either technical or judgmental; accordingly, this review emphasizes the procedural aspects of planning and operation considered to be particularly important for deriving the best short- and long-term results from surgical intervention. Specifically, this review covers preoperative evaluation, operative planning, operative technique, postoperative care, follow-up, and alternatives to direct carotid reconst