[MEP-49] Carotid Arterial Revascularization in Patients with Contralateral Carotid Arterial Diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report our early-term results in the treatment of bilateral carotid arterial diseases.

METHODS

The study analyzed 244 patients who underwent isolated carotid endarterectomy between April 1, 2019, and June 30, 2024. Four groups were created according to the degree of carotid artery stenosis (CAS): Group 1, 141 patients with <50% contralateral CAS; Group 2, 44 patients with contralateral CAS ≥50% and <70%; Group 3, 45 patients with contralateral CAS ≥70% and ≤99%; Group 4, 14 patients with total occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery. In our clinic, a reason to change the routine procedure was not accepted. We performed carotid endarterectomy as the first option in all patients. Patients' postoperative early-term outcomes, including the neurological findings, were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Demographics and preoperative findings were similar between the groups. The early-term rates of minor and major neurological events were 2.45% and 2.04%, respectively. Postoperative neurological complications were similar between the groups. There were two mortalities, one of them was in Group 1, and the other was in Group 3. During follow-up, there were no neurological events or mortality. There were two cases of restenosis in Group 1 and in Group 2.

CONCLUSION

In the surgical treatment of bilateral CAS, performing the operation with the standard approach without changing the surgeon's routine practice has similar results to the surgical approach applied to unilateral stenosis. It is important to evaluate the circle of Willis and cerebral blood supply in the preoperative period and to decide the usage of shunting.