Early identification of patients with the risk for postoperative carotid restenosis development.

Multiple randomized trials over the last decade for both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis have proven the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in reducing the risk of stroke. The aim of this prospective non-randomizing cohort study was to determine the incidence of carotid arteries restenosis after CEA as well as to ascertain the clinical and etiological characteristics for the development of restenosis. Treatment data from 178 KBC Rijeka patients that had undergone CEA in the period 1. 09. 2005-30. 8. 2009 has been processed. All patients are monitored trough our Neurosonology laboratory algorythm--first Doppler ultrasound examination within the first week after CEA and the following after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. After this time once a years. The average monitoring time was 21 month (1-36 months). In the stated period 27 restenosis was diagnosed (15.16%). Only four of them were symptomatic (14.81%). Patient survival rate is 98% in the first 12 and 92% in the first 36 months. Carotid restenosis is usually asymptomatic. Non-invasive postoperative carotid arteries color Doppler screening is essential in the early identification of patients with the risk for the development of restenosis.