Open AccessCarotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Asymptomatic Intracranial Aneurysm
Author(s) -
Joseph M. Ladowski,
Marshall W. Webster,
Howard Yonas,
David L. Steed
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198407000-00012
Subject(s) - medicine , aneurysm , asymptomatic , carotid endarterectomy , perioperative , stenosis , surgery , endarterectomy , radiology
The patient with symptomatic extracranial carotid artery disease who, on angiography, is found to have a coexisting intracranial aneurysm presents a therapeutic dilemma. Relief of the carotid stenosis, with a potential increase in cerebral blood pressure, might increase the risk of aneurysm rupture. Conversely, repair of the aneurysm may be hazardous because of the low flow imposed by the carotid stenosis, particularly in the event of perioperative hypotension. We reviewed 19 patients treated with 20 carotid endarterectomies in the face of concurrent asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm. There were no instances of aneurysm rupture during the operation or the 30 days following operation. The literature reported to date consists of a total of 20 patients with only one incidence of aneurysm rupture in the postoperative period. We conclude that carotid endarterectomy is unlikely to precipitate rupture of an intracranial aneurysm during the operation or postoperative period.