Evaluation of preoperative cervical internal carotid artery diameter as a predictor of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome following revascularization surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is potentially life-threatening complication after carotid revascularization procedures. This study aims to evaluate whether preoperative cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) diameter can serve as a predictor for CHS following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 78 patients undergoing CEA or CAS between 2011 and 2024 was analyzed. ICA diameters were measured preoperatively at three standard cervical segments using contrast-enhanced computed tomography or digital subtraction angiography. The association between diameter measurements and postoperative CHS was statistically evaluated.

RESULTS

CHS occurred in 4 cases (5.1 %). The CHS group had significantly smaller treated-side ICA diameters (median 2.73 mm vs 3.89 mm, p = 0.019), larger contralateral ICA diameters (4.89 mm vs 4.33 mm, p = 0.047), and high stenosis ratio (0.57 vs 0.88, p = 0.0017). A stenosis ratio 0.677 was identified as a significant predictor of CHS (AUC = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.924-1.000; sensitivity = 100 %, specificity = 92 %).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative assessment of ICA diameters may help predict the risk of CHS. This anatomical metric should be considered in conjunction with hemodynamic evaluations to enhance perioperative risk stratification.