Review of Post–Carotid Endarterectomy ComplicationsJournal Of Patient safety and quality improvement

Atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis is one of the most common causes of stroke worldwide. Carotid revascularization using Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA) may play an important role in reducing the stroke prevalence in selected patients. Post–CEA complications of significant concern include cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, ischemic stroke and cranial nerve injury, perioperative myocardial infarction, unstable angina, respiratory problems, renal failure, wound complications, and postoperative hyper– or hypotension. With regards to CEA complications, the individual risk assessment plays an inevitable role in reducing the negative outcomes and increasing the procedure efficacy. In this review, we studied CEA complications by reviewing the previously published literature. In addition to its benefits, CEA has its own complications, but at a lower severity. Reducing the incidence of post–CEA complications is crucial, especially in the patients with a less remarkable margin of benefit in stroke prevention. Despite its complications, CEA remains the gold standard for treating carotid stenosis in selected symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Accurate perioperative diagnosis and evaluation may help us develop a practical approach to more a beneficial and accurate surgical strategy.