Objective: To evaluate morbidity and mortality of carotid endarterectomy performed under regional cervical block, taking into account duration of surgery, use of shunt, conversion to general anesthesia, surgical complications, stay of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the hospital, and patients’ evolution over one year. Methods: From June 1998 to January 2004, 67 operations were ...

BACKGROUND The evolving technique of carotid stenting is being evaluated as an alternative to endarterectomy. Identification of the factors that predispose a patient to neurological complications would facilitate further refinement of the technique and optimize patient selection. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed the impact of various clinical, morphological, and procedural determinants on the ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Myeloid-related protein (Mrp) 8/14 complex is the functional relevant form of Mrp-8 and Mrp-14. Mrp-8/14 complex is actively formed in the cytoplasm of circulating neutrophils and monocytes and then secreted. Plasma Mrp-8/14 complex is emerging as a new biomarker that may discriminate between patients with an acute coronary syndrome and those with stable coronary heart di...

BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated better outcomes for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) at high-volume hospitals and providers. However, only a few studies have reported on the impact of surgeons' specialty and volume on the perioperative outcome of CEA. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of CEA during a recent 2-year period. Surgeons' specialties were classified according to thei...

We report the case of a 58-year-old patient, with a three vessel disease with unstable angina. Due to refractory angina, she was referred to urgent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). In the preoperative evaluation were found severe obstructive lesions in the brachiocephalic trunk origin, left common carotid origin and left internal carotid artery. The patient underwent CABG, supra-aortic trun...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In the 1980s, carotid endarterectomy was controversial because proof of efficacy was lacking, complication rates were high, and one third of cases were reported to be inappropriate. Since publication of several randomized controlled trials (RCTs), rates of carotid endarterectomy have doubled nationwide. This study assesses the appropriateness and use of carotid endarterec...