Predicting clinical ischaemia during awake carotid endarterectomy: use of the SJVO2 probe as a guide to selective shunting.

Stroke is a major cause of disability within the western world. About 20% of strokes are a consequence of atheromatous narrowing of the origin of the internal carotid artery. Carotid endarterectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for those with symptomatic and severe stenosis, provided the risk of death and peri-operative stroke is less than 7%.