RT Journal
A1 Yeager RA, Moneta GL, McConnell DB, Neuwelt EA, Taylor LM, Jr, Porter JM
T1 ANalysis of risk factors for myocardial infarction following carotid endarterectomy
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1989
FD October 1
VO 124
IS 10
SP 1142
OP 1145
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1989.01410100040008
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1989.01410100040008
AB • A 4-year experience with 249 consecutive carotid endarterectomies performed on 224 patients is reviewed for incidence of perioperative (30-day) myocardial infarction and early survival (mean follow-up, 21 months). Except in cases of unstable angina, coronary arterial disease was evaluated only by routine history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram. By these criteria, 73% of patients had evidence of coronary arterial disease. Patients underwent carotid endarterectomy after appropriate medical management and stabilization of coronary disease symptoms (angina and/or congestive heart failure). One (0.4%) fatal and nine (3.6%) nonfatal perioperative myocardial infarctions occurred. Diabetes mellitus was the only factor associated with a significantly increased risk of perioperative myocardial infarction. Early survival of patients with active symptoms of coronary disease who did not undergo coronary bypass was similar to those patients with preceding or subsequent coronary bypass. The results of this review suggest routine clinical evaluation for coronary arterial disease is sufficient in the large majority of cases prior to carotid endarterectomy. Considering the reported high mortality of coronary bypass among vascular surgical patients, it appears that an aggressive program screening for cardiac surgical candidates either by coronary arteriography or radionuclide studies prior to carotid endarterectomy is not warranted.(Arch Surg. 1989;124:1142-1145)