Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results following surgery for carotid artery stenosis in a single institution during a 20-year period.
Methods: In a retrospective study, 556 operations were performed in 496 patients during the period 1983-2002. Comorbidities, mortality, stroke and other surgical and general complications were recorded. Follow-up was performed and data retrieved from medical records, questionnaires, and visits to local hospitals. Data on late mortality were retrieved from the Norwegian Registrar's Office of birth and deaths.
Results: The mean age was 66.9 years (range 43-84 years), and 60% were men; 84% had symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. General anesthesia was applied in 95.5%. A shunt was used in 61.3%, and patch angioplasty in 95.1%. Autologous vein patch was used in almost all cases and there were no cases of patch rupture. Postoperative myocardial infarction occurred in 16 (2.9%) of the patients, and 5 were fatal. All types of stroke within 30 days of surgery occurred in 23 (4.1%) including 1 fatal stroke, and 7 patients died of other causes. The total stroke/mortality rate was 5.4%. Patients with previous coronary artery bypass had a favorable outcome regarding long-time survival. In contrast, increasing age, diabetes, renal failure and intermittent claudication predicted reduced long-term survival. No operations were performed for recurrent stenosis.
Conclusions: We have used fairly the same policy regarding operative technique during the 20-year period and the results are in agreement with those presented in large international trials. The long-term results were favorable, and improved over time, probably due to better preoperative evaluation of the patients, better timing of surgery and treatment of comorbidities.