Carotid endarterectomy without angiography: a prospective randomised pilot study

JCR ISI 2001 I.F. 1.48bstract OBJECTIVES: to determine whether duplex ultrasonography alone is an adequate examination prior to carotid endarterectomy. Design: prospective, randomised, single centre study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: all patients with carotid bifurcation stenosis greater than 70% - based on duplex scanning - were randomised to arteriography followed by carotid surgery (Group A n=96) or carotid surgery alone (Group B n=90). Study endpoints were neurological complications or death occurring between the day of randomisation and until 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: major neurological complications of death in 1 (1%) vs 3 (3.3%) patients in group A and B, respectively (n.s.). Minor neurological complications (only TIA) were observed in 0 and 3 (3.3%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: complication rates were low in both groups and within the generally accepted rate after carotid surgery in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.