Intraoperative monitoring for carotid endarterectomy

Abstract

Carotid endarterectomy is the most frequently performed procedure for the prevention of stroke. Strict selection criteria are applied to determine surgical candidates for CEA as indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe carotid stenosis. Carotid endarterectomy is associated with procedural and periprocedural risks including stroke (embolic or hemodynamic), myocardial infarction, as well as cranial nerve palsy resulting from traction on the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Recent attention has turned to a less invasive surgical approach to treat carotid stenosis, carotid stenting. Stenting and endarterectomy have shown comparable efficacy, but more randomized studies are needed [1].