Characterization of the morbidity of carotid endarterectomy

Abstract

Introduction: 80% of strokes result in ischemic type and at least 20-30% are caused by stenosis of the extracranial carotid artery. Carotid endarterectomy has as its main objective to remove atheromatous plaques, which are sources of emboli for the brain, and improve blood flow to this organ.

Objective: To characterize the morbidity of carotid endarterectomy at the "Enrique Cabrera" General Teaching Hospital from 2018 to 2021.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 32 patients, who underwent carotid endarterectomy. Data collection was carried out by reviewing medical records. The study period spanned from January 2018 to January 2021.

Results: The male sex predominated (65.6 %) and the mean age was 68.8 years. The most frequent risk factors were high blood pressure and smoking with 75% and 65.6%, respectively. Cerebrovascular disease with minimal sequelae was the most frequent clinical form in 40.6% of cases. A statistically significant association was found between diabetes mellitus and clinical forms, and between peripheral arterial disease and the occurrence of complications. The left carotid was the most affected with 53% and the percentage of stenosis, between 70% and 99%, was found in 55.9% of patients. The following complications were the most common: cranial nerve injury (5.8%) and cervical hematoma (5.8%). Eversion endarterectomy was performed in 97% of cases.

Conclusions: The safety and success of carotid endarterectomy were demonstrated. Most of the patients had a satisfactory evolution, and there were few complications and zero mortality.