IMPROVING PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY

Multiple components of the perioperative course of patients who underg o carotid endarterectomy must be tightly controlled in order to mainta in an acceptably low complication rate. These factors include appropri ate patient selection, routine assessment of cardiac risk factors, pre cise control of blood pressure intraoperatively and postoperatively, m eticulous surgical technique and reliable monitoring for intraoperativ e cerebral ischemia. This discussion focuses on the vascular practice patterns at the University of Chicago and emphasizes intraoperative ma nagement and the safe utilization of intraluminal shunts.