Intraluminal Shunt in Carotid Endarterectomies Increases the Risk of Ischemic Stroke

Aim: A large prospective study compared the incidence of new ischemic lesions of brain parenchyma during carotid endarterectomies (CEA) with or without usage of an intraluminal shunt. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain parenchyma (diffuse weighted mode, MR DW) was used to show lesions. Groups and methods: 1,019 CEA were performed during a prospective study from 2005 to 2013 at the Neurosurgery Clinic, Masaryk Hospital in Usti nad Labem. All procedures were done under regional anaesthesia with selective carotid artery shunting according to the neurological status after carotid artery branches clamping. Magnetic resonance evaluation of the brain parenchyma in diffuse weighed mode (MR DW) was performed at admission to the hospital and 24 hours after the surgical procedure. Acute new MR DW lesions were evaluated according to the classification published by Szabo et al. (Stroke 2001). Results: Serious complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, death) occurred in 3.2% of symptomatic and 1.7% of asymptomatic patients. An intraluminal shunt had to be used in 73 out of 1,019 patients (7.1%). New ischemic lesion was detected in 78 patients (7.7%). Majority of these lesions were neurologically asymptomatic (80%). New ischemic lesion on MR DW was detected in 25 (34.3%) shunted patients and in 53 (5.6%) non-shunted patients. Aetiology of the majority of these lesions involved embolization or hypoperfusion. Conclusion:The use of an intraluminal shunt during carotid endarterectomies increased the incidence of new ischemic lesions almost seven-fold. These results support our strategy to use intraluminal shunts selectively.