Dextran reduces embolic signals after carotid endarterectomy

One hundred fifty patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were randomly assigned to receive intravenous 10% dextran 40 or placebo. Transcranial Dop pler monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery 0 to 1 hour posto peratively detected embolic signals in 57% of placebo and 42% of dextran pa tients, with overall embolic signal counts 46% less for dextran (p = 0.052) . Two to 3 hours postoperatively, embolic signals were present in 45% of pl acebo and 27% of dextran patients, with embolic signal counts 64% less for dextran (p = 0.040). We conclude that dextran reduces embolic signals withi n 3 hours of CEA.