Coronary artery bypass combined with bilateral carotid endarterectomy

Background. Surgical management of patients presenting for coronary artery bypass grafting with significant bilateral carotid artery stenosis has not been well defined. In this study, our preliminary results of coronary artery bypass grafting with concomitant bilateral carotid endarterectomy have been reviewed. Methods. A retrospective nonrandomized chart review was performed in 33 patients with unstable angina and bilateral carotid artery stenosis, more than 70%, undergoing simultaneous corollary artery bypass grafting and bilateral carotid endarterectomy using an eversion technique. Results. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with bilateral carotid endarterectomy was performed urgently in 24 (73%) and electively in 9 (27%) patients. The average carotid artery cross-clamp and total perfusion times were 14.7 +/- 4.9 minutes and 123 +/- 29.2 minutes, respectively. The average length of stay in the cardiopulmonary intensive care unit was 4.2 +/- 14.2 days and total hospital stay was 16.2 +/- 20.5 days. Postoperative in-hospital stay was 14.9 +/- 20.3 days. There were no postoperative strokes. Twenty-one (64%) patients were discharged before the tenth postoperative day. Nonfatal postoperative complications occurred in 27% (9 of 33) of patients. The overall 30-day mortality was 6.1% (2 of 33) and that was unrelated to primary cardiac or cerebrovascular events. Conclusions. Favorable outcome supports the justification for performing concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with bilateral carotid endarterectomies in selected patients. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.