Carotid endarterectomy: A new technique replacing internal shunts

Background. Carotid endarterectomy has been reported to increase the time f ree from cerebral ischemic events in both symptomatic and asymptomatic pati ents with a high grade of stenosis of the internal carotid artery. In cases in whom the compensatory circulation during the carotid clamp time is not sufficient. the use of intraluminal shunts has been proposed. However, the use of intraluminal shunts present several problems, such as the technical difficulties in positioning the shunt, the variability of time requested fo r the placement. the inconstancy of the blood flow during surgery, and the need to clamp off the carotid to introduce and remove the shunt. For these reasons, most operators prefer not to employ intraluminal shunts. while others do use them only in selected cases. The purpose of this work is to present, for the first rime. a new type of temporary extraluminal shu nt, connecting the femoral to the internal carotid artery with the interpos ition of a roller pump to regulate the blood Row. This method allows one to perform carotid endarterectomy without interrupting the blood flow to the brain. Methods. 407 consecutive patients, who underwent carotid endarterectomy bet ween August 1992 and April 2000. were considered. 35 patients presented an absolutely insufficient collateral circulation, demonstrated by important m odifications of the electroencephalographic monitoring during the carotid c lamp time. In these patients the endorterectomy was performed using a new f emoral-carotid extraluminal shunt. Findings. In all the cases in whom the femoral-carotid extraluminal shunt w as positioned, the normalisation of electroencephalographic monitoring was achieved by regulating the blood Row with the interposed roller pump. The u se and the placement of the shunt was simple and easy. None of the patients showed postoperative complications, except for one who had a stroke two da ys after surgery. Interpretation. The results obtained, although to be confirmed by further s tudies. seem to demonstrate the effectiveness of our femoral-carotid extral uminal shunt. which was simple to use and safe.