[Treating severe stenosis of internal carotid artery with carotid endarterectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective and safety of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the treatment of severe stenosis of internal carotid artery. METHODS: The clinical data of 95 patients with internal carotid artery stenosis and treated by CEA in our hospital from October 1998 to October 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) was found in 65 patients and cerebral infarction in 21 patients before operations. Diagnoses were confirmed by selective angiography, and > 70% stenosis of internal carotid artery was found in all patients and > 95% stenosis was found in 50 patients. Stenosis or occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery was also found in 35 patients. Coronary artery stenosis was confirmed in 43 patients with preoperative coronary angiography. CEA and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were simultaneously performed in 18 patients. RESULTS: After the operation, the clinical symptoms significantly improved in all patients. One case experienced hypoglossal nerve injury. One patient died of heart attack during follow-up. CONCLUSION: CEA is an effective and safe treatment for severe stenosis of internal carotid artery.