Background: Restenosis of the carotid artery is a major complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The
purpose of this study was to examine the role of CEA techniques on carotid dimensions variation, postoperative
versus preoperative multi-segmental diameters and its impact on the development of restenosis at 12 months follow
up.
Methods: 175 consecutive patients eligible for carotid surgery were included in the study. 75 underwent CEA
by patch reconstruction (PR), 53 by eversion (EV) and 47 by primary closure (PC). Before the procedures and
at discharge, carotid diameters were measured at four reference points (common carotid, CC; carotid bulb, CB;
proximal internal carotid artery, PICA; distal internal carotid artery, DICA) by ultrasonography. The rate of minor (<
50%) and major (≥ 50%) restenosis was evaluated at 12 months follow up.
Results: PR produced an increase in all carotid diameters while PC and EV produced a decrease in carotid
diameters, having PC affected all diameters while EV affected CB and PICA diameter. However, postoperative
diameters had comparable dimension independently of the surgical technique used. The rate of overall and major
restenosis did not differ significantly between the three types of surgery. Logistic regression analysis showed
that female gender was associated with major restenosis (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1, 23 – 38, 49) irrespective of surgical
technique.
Conclusion: This study shows that carotid diameters and restenosis rate after CEA are comparable whatever is
the surgical technique adopted, and that women are at high risk of major restenosis.Background: Restenosis of the carotid artery is a major complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The
purpose of this study was to examine the role of CEA techniques on carotid dimensions variation, postoperative
versus preoperative multi-segmental diameters and its impact on the development of restenosis at 12 months follow
up.
Methods: 175 consecutive patients eligible for carotid surgery were included in the study. 75 underwent CEA
by patch reconstruction (PR), 53 by eversion (EV) and 47 by primary closure (PC). Before the procedures and
at discharge, carotid diameters were measured at four reference points (common carotid, CC; carotid bulb, CB;
proximal internal carotid artery, PICA; distal internal carotid artery, DICA) by ultrasonography. The rate of minor (<
50%) and major (≥ 50%) restenosis was evaluated at 12 months follow up.
Results: PR produced an increase in all carotid diameters while PC and EV produced a decrease in carotid
diameters, having PC affected all diameter