ANESTHESIA FOR CAROTID TNDARTERECTOMY

Stephen N. Steen, Vladimir Zelman

It has been estimated that carotid artery disease (CAD) may be responsible for 30% cases of the more than 500,000 new strokes that occur annually in the United States. "Carotid endarterectomy CEA is a prophylactic operation to reduce the risk of subsequent stroke and stroke-related death, stroke being defined as an acute neurologic deficit lasting longer than 24 hours. "The ACAS has demonstrated that the incidence of cerebral infarction can be reduced by CEA and that stringent quality control measures can reduce surgical morbidity and mortality" [ACAS]. In the past, many controversial publications and considerable debate occurred with respect to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and anesthesia. Following a conference held in July 1993 in Park City, Utah, a recent multidisciplinary consensus statement was published which appears to clarify many of the issues. Accordingly, we have for the most part considered only publications of the last decade.

KEY WORDS: carotid endarterectomy.

P. 71-80

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