Interaction of cerebrovascular disease and contralateral carotid occlusion in prediction of shunt insertion during carotid endarterectomy.

Introduction: To assess the possible role and the interaction of cerebrovascular disease and vascular stenosis on the necessity of shunt insertion during carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Material And Methods: Eighty consecutive patients undergoing CEA under regional anaesthesia were prospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they were shunted or not.

Bispectral index variations in patients with neurological deficits during awake carotid endarterectomy.

Background And Objective: The bispectral index (BIS) is derived from the EEG and therefore may be useful to diagnose intraoperative cerebral ischaemia. This study was undertaken to investigate BIS changes in awake patients with and without neurological deficits during carotid endarterectomy under regional anaesthesia.

Methods: Seventy consecutive carotid endarterectomies under regional anaesthesia were divided into two surgical groups: patients with and patients without neurological deficits.