颈动脉内膜剥脱术后大脑高灌注损伤的预防和处理

目的 探讨颈动脉内膜剥脱术(CEA)后发生高灌注损伤的术前高危因素、预防及处理措施.方法 2002年1月至2008年3月,在全程脑保护概念指导下,60 例颈动脉狭窄患者实行CEA 手术.术前患者均行颈部彩超和CT 血管成像检查,评价双侧颈动脉狭窄程度及侧支循环;术中采用全身麻醉、选择性颈动脉转流、经颅彩色多普勒(TCD)脑血流监测,维持脑血流;术后保留气管插管、镇静、脑冰袋、维持血压平稳,TCD 指导下应用脱水、降压药物预防和处理高灌注损伤.结果 60 例患者颈动脉平均狭窄率82豫依11豫,其中20 例行颈动脉转流,转流率为33%.34 例(57%)做补片成型.术后3 例(5%)出现头痛,1 例(1.7%)抽搐,无脑出血.38 例(63.3%)平均血流速度(MFV)增加幅度少于100%,22例(36.7%)增加超过100%,4 例(6.7%)术后出现症状患者的MFV 增加超过200%.结论 全程脑保护概念应用于CEA 手术,能有效减少术后大脑高灌注的发生.     

同期颈动脉内膜切除术与冠状动脉搭桥术治疗颈动脉与冠状动脉狭窄的临床经验

目的评价同期联合行颈动脉内膜切除术(CEA)与冠状动脉搭桥术(CABG)治疗颈动脉与冠状动脉狭窄并存疾病的早期临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2008年8月收治的25例颈动脉与冠状动脉狭窄并存并均实施了同期CEA与CABG手术患者的临床资料。先行CEA再行CABG者24例,先行CABG后行CEA1例。有5例患者在体外循环下完成CABG,其余20例在非体外循环下行CABG;在行CEA时,患者均使用颈动脉转流管并均采用人工血管补片加宽颈动脉切口。结果本组无手术死亡,围手术期无心脑血管并发症发生,1例患者手术后1个月因右下肢动脉硬化闭塞症而行右下肢股-腘动脉人工血管搭桥术。术后平均随访(24.6±3.5)个月,患者无心绞痛、短暂性缺血性脑发作或脑中风发生。结论同期行CEA与CABG是治疗颈动脉与冠状动脉狭窄并存疾病的一种可选择的方法,手术安全,早期结果满意。     

颈动脉内膜剥脱术和颈动脉支架的前瞻性随机对照研究

目的 评价颈动脉内膜剥脱术和颈动脉支架治疗颈动脉狭窄的近期和中期临床效果.方法 前瞻性单中心随机对照研究,自2004年5月至2006年12月,将同意入组的40例有症状(狭窄程度>50%)和无症状(狭窄程度>70%)颈动脉狭窄患者随机分为两组,即颈动脉内膜剥脱术组(CEA)和颈动脉支架组(CAS).一期观察终点是术后30 d内出现严重脑梗死或死亡;二期观察终点是各种手术并发症、急性脑缺血发作、偏瘫、急性心肌梗死和术后18个月内的脑卒中、死亡和再狭窄等,同时回顾性分析两组总的住院费用.结果 CEA和CAS两组患者术前一般资料、临床症状、伴随疾病等因素均无差异.CEA组20例23支颈动脉手术(3例分别行双侧CEA),术中应用转流管9条(39.1%),颈动脉补片12条(52.2%);CAS组20例23支颈动脉支架(3例行双侧CAS),应用脑保护装置21个(91.3%).CEA和CAS两组术后30 d内神经系统并发症(4.3%对8.7%,P=0.46)、急性心肌梗死(4.3%对0,P=0.31)和伤口血肿(8.7%对0,P=0.14)等差异均无统计学意义,至术后18个月无短暂性脑缺血发作和再狭窄病例.CEA和CAS两组平均住院费用分别为(16 450.95±6188.76)和(70 130.15±11 999.02)元人民币,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论 CEA和CAS术后30 d和术后18个月的并发症、病死率和临床疗效无明显差异,但CAS的住院花费明显高于CEA.     

双侧颈动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的处理策略

目的:探讨双侧颈动脉粥样硬化性狭窄患者的手术适应证、时机和策略.方法:1987年2月至2007年12月共收治74例双侧颈动脉粥样硬化性狭窄患者,其中34例患者症状限于一侧,均施行了一侧颈动脉内膜切除(CEA),其中8例对侧因狭窄>70%或粥样硬化斑块不稳定而行CEA或支架成形(CAS).38例双侧均有症状,15例双侧先后施行CEA;3例一侧行CEA,对侧行CAS;20例仅行单侧CEA.另外2例双侧无症状,均因狭窄>70%而行单侧CEA,其中1例还行对侧CAS.结果:本组74例患者共行93侧CEA,68例术后顺利,2例神经功能障碍加重,2例出现心肌缺血,1例脑出血,1例声音嘶哑.67例患者平均随访4.9年,63例无与术侧颈动脉相关的脑缺血事件发生.结论:颈动脉粥样硬化性狭窄患者只要指征明确,无论对侧颈动脉正常、狭窄甚至闭塞,均应施行CEA.双侧狭窄患者的治疗时机和策略因人而异.CEA术中主要依据电生理监测结果决定是否采用转流.     

颈动脉内膜剥脱术后脑过度灌注综合征临床分析

目的探讨颈动脉内膜剥脱(CEA)术后脑过度灌注综合征(CHS)危险因素、疾病特点和治疗策略。方法颈动脉狭窄患者行颈动脉内膜剥脱术116例,依据围手术期头颈部经颅多普勒(TCD)、头颈部CTA+CTP、CT、MRI及血压监测,分析脑过度灌注综合征的可能性和治疗方法。结果 116例颈动脉狭窄患者CEA术后发生脑过度灌注5例,平均发病时间为4.8天,发生率为4.3%;4例经积极控制血压、癫痫及降颅压治愈CHS,1例脑过度灌注患者术后3天因颞叶及中脑出血死亡。结论积极控制血压、癫痫及降颅压是治疗CHS有效方法。     

置腔内转流管和颈动脉补片行颈动脉内膜剥脱术(附45例报告)

目的探讨颈动脉内膜切除剥脱术(CEA)的手术方法及技巧,以降低围手术期脑卒中发生率及术后再狭窄发生率。方法2001年3月至2005年3月复旦大学附属华山医院血管外科行CEA45例,其中颈动脉硬化单侧狭窄36例、双侧9例。短暂性脑缺血(TIA)32例,缺血性脑卒中7例,无神经系统症状者4例。术前常规行多普勒彩超检查,9例行DSA检查,38例行CTA检查。颈内动脉起始段平均狭窄为(69±12)%。所有病人均在全麻下行CEA,术中常规置颈动脉转流管及用牛心包补片作颈动脉成形术。手术时间平均110min,脑缺血时间平均2min45s。结果围手术期及术后30d均无死亡及脑卒中发生,2例分别于术后6h及10h出现TIA。术后随访6~42个月,均未发生脑卒中。32例TIA病人,28例症状消失,4例症状改善。1例8个月后颈动脉轻度狭窄(<30%),其余病人颈动脉均无再狭窄。结论颈动脉内膜剥脱术中,常规运用颈动脉转流管及常规采用牛心包补片做动脉成形术可使手术更安全有效及减少术后再狭窄的发生。     

颈动脉再通术后重度再狭窄病变的诊治策略

目的评估颈动脉支架成形术(CAS)和颈动脉内膜切除术(CEA)治疗颅外颈动脉狭窄后重度再狭窄的诊断和治疗策略。方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2017年1月在复旦大学附属中山医院接受颈动脉再通手术治疗后发生严重再狭窄而二次手术治疗的15例患者资料,其中CEA术后再狭窄3例,CAS术后再狭窄12例,均通过血管多普勒超声检查和数字减影血管造影明确诊断。结果对于CEA术后再狭窄的患者,治疗包括脑保护下CAS手术(2例)、球囊扩张(1例);对于CAS术后再狭窄的患者,治疗包括再次行CEA及补片血管成形术(7例)、球囊扩张(3例)、再次行脑保护下CAS术(2例)。患者围术期无脑卒中或死亡发生。1例CAS术后再狭窄患者采用单纯球囊扩张治疗后,6个月随访再次发生颈动脉再狭窄且伴有短暂性脑缺血发作的症状,接受CEA及补片血管成形术,术后随访1年显示颈动脉血流通畅。其余患者在术后随访过程中未见脑卒中或再狭窄发生。结论血管多普勒超声检查和数字减影血管造影是诊断颅外颈动脉再通术后再狭窄的重要手段。对于重度再狭窄的患者,需注意个体化治疗方式,围术期疗效及中期再狭窄复发率较满意,但仍需密切随访,注意再狭窄复发的风险。     

颈动脉重度和极重度狭窄的治疗策略和并发症分析

目的 :比较重度颈动脉狭窄重度(70%～90%)和极重度(90%以上)病人行颈动脉内膜切除术(carotid endarterectomy, CEA)与颈动脉支架置入术(carotid artery stenting, CAS)的治疗效果和并发症发生情况。方法:回顾性分析2015年1月至2017年12月长海医院收治的463例重度颈动脉狭窄病人接受手术治疗的临床资料。结果:重度颈动脉狭窄的病人202例。CEA组62例与CAS组140例术后再发卒中的差异(3.2%比6.7%)无统计学意义(P=0.181)。CAS组术后再狭窄2.2%,CEA组无再狭窄,差异无统计学意义(P=0.240)。CEA组术后舌偏位、言语不清的发生率4.8%和3.2%,CAS术后无此两种并发症(P=0.009和0.033)。极重度颈动脉狭窄病人261例。CEA组95例和CAS组166例术后再发卒中发生率差异(1.1%比4.5%)无统计学意义(P=0.135),但CAS组较多。CAS术后再狭窄的发生率5.7%,而CEA术后无再狭窄(P=0.017)。CEA组术后发生舌偏位和言语不清4.2%与3.2%,同样CAS组无该并发症(P=0.008和0.021)。结论:CEA与CAS应用于颈动脉重度狭窄病人的治疗效果差异无统计学意义,但CAS术后无神经系统并发症。颈动脉极重度狭窄病人行CEA的治疗效果明显优于CAS。     

颈动脉狭窄患者CEA应用颈动脉转流效果观察

目的:探讨颈动脉狭窄患者行颈动脉内膜剥脱术(CEA)术中使用颈动脉转流有效性及安全性。方法:回顾性分析79例颈动脉狭窄患者,术中通过经颅多普勒监测双侧大脑中动脉血流速度(VMCA)。阻断颈动脉前后记录系统收缩压、术侧VMCA、对侧VMCA。将79例患者分为两组:A组V2-a<40%V1-a 41例,使用颈动脉转流;B组V2-a≥40%V1-a 38例,未使用颈动脉转流。提高血压使术侧VMCA达到50%V1-a,即刻和恢复血供后记录系统收缩压、术侧VMCA、对侧VMCA。结果:A组、B组不良事件发生率分别为22.0%、5.3%(P=0.032);A组、B组主要不良事件发生率分别为9.8%、5.3%(P=0.743)。结论:颈动脉狭窄患者行CEA术,术中使用颈动脉转流增加不良事件发生率,但对主要不良事件发生率无明显影响,不常规推荐使用颈动脉转流管。     

颈动脉内膜剥脱与支架置入术患者围手术期脑灌注对比分析

目的:通过全脑CT灌注成像(WBCTP)分析并比较颈动脉内膜剥脱术(CEA)与颈动脉支架成形术(CAS)对颈动脉狭窄患者围手术期脑灌注的影响及差异。方法:参照北美症状性颈动脉内膜切除术(NASCET)标准,选择32例经全脑动脉造影确诊颈动脉狭窄的患者,其中行CEA 11例、行CAS 21例。所有患者术前、术后1周均行WBCTP检查采集脑灌注数据,分析并比较两组相对脑血流量(r CBF)、相对脑血容量(r CBV)、相对平均通过时间(r MTT)的变化及差异。结果:与术前比较,两组患者术后r CBF、r CBV、r MTT均明显改善(均P0.05),两组间以上指标变化程度均无统计学差异(均P0.05)。结论:CEA、CAS两种术式均可改善颈动脉狭窄患者脑灌注,且疗效相似。     

Cerebral oximetry in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: preliminary results

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an appropriate treatment for carotid occlusive disease. The risk of stroke during CEA ranges from 1.1% to 7.5%. Shunting is usually advised when severe ischemia during cross-clamping of the internal carotid artery is suspected. Routine use of an intraluminal shunt may increase the perioperative stroke rate. Popular and well documented methods of neurologic monitoring for ischemia during general anesthesia are electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) of the middle cerebral artery. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare cerebral oximetry using near infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS) with EEG and TCD. Preliminary data on 14 patients scheduled for elective carotid endarterectomy were included and a literature search was performed to correlate the findings. No postoperative neurologic events occurred. During carotid clamping there was a significant decrease in regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) but there was only a weak correlation with the decrease in mean Doppler flow (R = 0.74; P = 0.02) and no correlation with EEG changes (R = 0.49; P = 0.18). A useful rSO2 cut-off value predictive for cerebral ischemia could not be defined.     

Three cases of hyperperfusion syndrome identified by daily transcranial Doppler investigation after carotid surgery.

BACKGROUND: cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (HS), occurs in 0.5-1% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and may result in intracerebral haemorrhage and death. Aim: to diagnose HS by means of postoperative Transcranial Doppler (TCD). METHODS: between 1998 and 2001 nearly all 112 patients who underwent CEA were monitored for four days postoperatively by Transcranial Doppler. RESULTS: there were 3 patients with HS. All three showed TCD abnormalities hours before developing symptoms. One patient developed a full blown HS. Presumably, symptoms in the other two patients could be prevented by timely starting or restoring anti-hypertensive treatment. CONCLUSION: daily TCD investigation in all patients undergoing CEA seems an effective strategy for the presymptomatic detection of HS.     

颈动脉内膜剥脱术的临床应用

目的 探讨颈动脉内膜剥脱术的适应证及围手术期处理。方法 回顾性总结11例因短暂性脑缺血(TIA)伴有颈动脉硬化狭窄患者而行颈动脉内膜剥脱术的临床资料。结果 术后所有患者的TIA表现消失,4例慢性脑缺血症状也得到明显的改善。术后未出现偏瘫或脑出血等严重的并发症。结论 对于TIA病人在经Doppler超声或DSA或MRA检查发现-侧或双侧颈总动脉或颈内动脉狭窄大于50％,可以考虑行颈动脉内膜剥脱术。对于双侧颈动脉狭窄者,分期手术治疗较为安全。作好围手术期处理,有助于减少手术并发症发生。     

显微颈动脉内膜切除术治疗颈动脉狭窄和闭塞

目的:探讨颈动脉内膜切除术治疗颈动脉粥样硬化性狭窄和闭塞的疗效.方法2005年8月至2008年11月16例患者均经彩色超声、磁共振血管成像(MRA)、CTA、数字减影血管造影证实为中重度颈动脉狭窄,14例狭窄率为60%～99%,2例完全闭塞;12例行标准颈动脉内膜切除术,4例行外翻式颈动脉内膜切除术;2例术中放置转流管;1例术中行补片成形术.所有手术均借助显微镜完成.结果:围手术期及术后随访无卒中、短暂性脑缺血及死亡病例.术后均经彩色超声、MRA检查证实颈内动脉血流通畅,术后原症状改善或消失.1例并发消化道出血,1例围手术期有声嘶、呛水,对症治疗后症状消失,余均无并发症.结论:颈动脉内膜切除术是治疗颈动脉狭窄的有效方法,采用不同术式及技术,对不同颈动脉病变可以达到最佳治疗效果;显微手术有助于高位分叉颈动脉的显露,能有效避免颅神经损伤及其他并发症.     

Literature Review of Cranial Nerve Injuries During Carotid Endarterectomy

Objective: In the recent prospective randomised trials on carotid endarterectomy (CEA), the incidence of cranial nerve injuries (CNI) are reported to be higher than in previously published studies. The objective of this study is to review the incidence of post CEA cranial nerve injury and to discover whether it has changed in the last 25 years after many innovations in vascular surgery.

Methods: Generic terms including carotid endarterectomy, cranial nerve injuries, post CEA complications and cranial nerve deficit after neck surgery were used to search a variety of electronic databases. Based on selection criteria, decisions regarding inclusion and exclusion of primary studies were made. The incidence of CNI before and after 1995 was compared.

Results: We found 31 eligible studies from the literature. Patients who underwent CEA through any approach were included in the study. All patients had cranial nerves examined both before and after surgery. The total number of patients who had CEA before 1995 was 3521 with 10.6% CNI (352 patients) and after 1995, 7324 patients underwent CEA with 8.3% CNI (614 patients).Cranial nerves XII, X and VII were most commonly involved (rarely IX and XI). Statistical analysis showed that the incidence of CNI has decreased (X^A2 = 5.89 + 0.74 = 6.63 => p-value = 0.0100). Conclusion: CNI is still a significant postoperative complication of carotid endarterectomy. Despite increasing use of CEA, the incidence of CNI has decreased probably because of increased awareness of the possibility of cranial nerve damage.     

Prevention of Bile Duct Injury (BDI) during Cholecystectomy

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of microembolism in one hundred unselected patients submitted to 50 carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and 50 carotid stenting (CAS) procedures from January 2005 to January 2006 for hemodynamic lesions of the carotid bifurcation (> 70% stenosis). Material and methods: High-resolution Colour-Flow Mapping (CFM), Transcranial Doppler (TCD), cerebral computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) and four psychometric tests (Mini mental state, Beck depression inventory, Zung anxiety inventory, SF-12) were carried out in the preoperative evaluation in all the patients. In the cEAs loco-regional anesthesia (100%), patch angioplasty (84%) and Pruitt-Inahara shunt (4%) were employed; in the CASs local anesthesia (100%), three different carotid stents (Precise-Cordis, Acculink-Guidant and Carotid Wallstent-Boston Scientific) and three temporary distal filter protection devices (Angioguard-Cordis, Accunet-Guidant, Filterwire-EZ-Boston Scientific), without pre-dilatation, were employed.

TCD monitoring was used intra-operatively and 12 hours post-operatively to evaluate the presence and the number of microembolic events (ME’s) and to investigate the efficiency of neuroprotective filter devices. The efficacy of the in situ opened filter was judged evaluating the decrease of mean blood velocity in ipsilateral middle cerebral artery and the reduction rate of microembolic events (number of microemboli detected during the entire procedure/number of microemboli detected during the filter positioning).

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) of the brain was obtained within 24 to 48 hours after the procedures to detect new ischemic brain lesions. Psychometric tests were repeated at the discharge of the patient and after two months to evaluate cognitive faculties.

Results: During postoperative period (30 days) and follow-up, no procedure-related death and three regressive minor strokes occurred: 1 in CEA (2%) and 2 in CASs (4%); a cranial nerve lesion occurred in CEA (2%). TCD monitoring showed ME’s (a mean of five events) in 37 CEAs (74%) and in 50 CASs (100%) (a mean of 60 ME’s). In five patients submitted to CAS repeated microemboli occurred during one hour postoperative TCD control (10%). A 10–30% decrease of mean blood velocity basal value was recorded in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery when the filter device was opened. A mean 70% reduction of ME’s was obtained with a cerebral protection system deployed. Postoperative DWI detected new focal ischemic lesions in 24 patients [22 after CAS (44%) (a mean of 5 new ipsi and contra-lateral lesions), and 2 after CEA (4%). Cognitive capability worsened in 20 patients [18 after CAS (36%) e 2 after CEA (4%)]. Conclusions: Mortality and morbidity rates of patients submitted to CAS are comparable to the results obtained by CEA. A great number of ME’s are recorded by TCD during endovascular procedures, more than during open surgery. ME’s due to CAS are reduced by filter protection devices, but the cognitive faculties in a great number of “asymptomatic” patients are decreased after CAS.     

Transcranial Doppler monitoring during carotid endarterectomy helps to identify patients at risk of postoperative hyperperfusion.

OBJECTIVES: to investigate whether transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring can identify patients at risk of hyperperfusion, and whether active postoperative treatment of selected patients decreases the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). DESIGN: a case cohort study of 688 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with intraoperative TCD monitoring. METHODS: sixty-two patients (9%) fulfilled the TCD criteria for hyperperfusion, i.e. >100% increase of peak blood flow velocity or pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery, compared to preclamp baseline values. In these patients, blood pressure was closely monitored and controlled postoperatively. RESULTS: postoperatively, seven of these patients (11%) exhibited clinical signs or symptoms of hyperperfusion but no cerebral haemorrhage (ICH). This is a significantly better outcome (p <0.005) compared to a 2% incidence of ICH after CEA in previous years in our hospital. CONCLUSIONS: patients at risk of hyperperfusion syndrome after CEA can be identified intraoperatively by TCD monitoring. In these selected patients, immediate and adequate postoperative treatment of hypertension results in a decreased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage.     

Identification of patients at risk for ischaemic cerebral complications after carotid endarterectomy with TCD monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring for micro embolic signals (MES), directly after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) may identify patients at risk of developing ischaemic complications. In this retrospective multicentre study, this hypothesis was investigated. METHODS: Centres that monitored for MES after CEA were identified by searching Medline. Individual patient data were obtained from centres willing to collaborate. The number of emboli in 1h was computed. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for the variables gender, age and number of MES. Discriminative ability of MES monitoring was investigated in a ROC curve. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety-one patients were monitored in the first 3h after CEA. Two percent developed ischaemic cerebral complications. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant associations between ischaemic cerebral complications and both gender and MES, but not age. In a multivariate analysis, > or =8 MES/h showed a statistically significant relationship with cerebral complications (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.8-36), in contrast to gender (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.9-5.5). The ROC curve yielded an AUC of 0.83 for monitoring of MES. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of TCD monitoring for MES shortly after CEA in order to identify patients at risk of developing ischaemic cerebral complications.     

Eversion Carotid Endarterectomy Generates Fewer Microemboli than Standard Carotid Endarterectomy

Objectives: to test whether the occurrence of microembolism differed between eversion and standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Design: prospective, non-randomised transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring study of 61 patients. Materials and methods: eversion CEA was performed in 27 and standard CEA in 34 patients. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. Three (5%) patients had a shunt inserted based on continuous EEG monitoring. Continuous middle cerebral artery TCD monitoring (EME, TC-4040) was performed intraoperatively and for 45 min postoperatively on day 1, day 2–3, day 4–5 and after 3 months. Unidirectional signals lasting >25 ms, having intensities of >9 dB were considered to represent embolic events. Results: intraoperative embolic events were detected in 50 (93%) of 54 patients in whom successful intraoperative TCD monitoring was achieved. Events occurred most frequently immediately following clamp release (85%), without difference between the two techniques. Embolic events were encountered postoperatively in four (15%) and 16 (48%) patients having eversion and standard CEA, respectively (p< 0.02). Four patients developed new neurological symptoms equally distributed between eversion and standard CEA. Two (3%) deficits were permanent and two transient. The patency of the carotid bifurcation was confirmed in all instances with duplex scanning. Conclusion: we identified a surprisingly high number of postoperative embolic events as detected with transcranial Doppler in patients who had undergone carotid surgery using standard endarterectomy, as compared to patients who underwent eversion endarterectomy. Whether this difference has any clinical implication has yet to be proved.     

Transcranial Doppler directed dextran therapy in the prevention of carotid thrombosis: three hour monitoring is as effective as six hours.

BACKGROUND: Six hours' monitoring by transcranial Doppler (TCD) has been successful in directing Dextran therapy in patients at high risk of thrombotic stroke after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). OBJECTIVES: Is 3 h of routine monitoring as effective as 6 h in the prevention of early postoperative thrombotic stroke? DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive study in all patients with an accessible cranial window. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six patients undergoing CEA underwent 3 h of postoperative monitoring by TCD. Any patient with > 25 emboli detected in any 10 min period or those with emboli that distorted the arterial waveform were commenced on an incremental infusion of dextran 40. RESULTS: The majority of patients destined to embolise will do so within the first 2 postoperative hours. Dextran therapy was instituted in nine patients (5%) and rapidly controlled this phase of embolisation although the dose had to be increased in three (33%). No patient suffered a postoperative carotid thrombosis but one suffered a minor stroke on day 5 and was found to have profuse embolisation on TCD; high dose dextran therapy was again instituted, the embolus count rate fell rapidly and he made a good recovery thereafter. Overall, the death and disabling stroke rate was 1.2% and the death/any stroke rate was 2.4%. CONCLUSION: Three hours of postoperative TCD monitoring is as effective as 6 h in the prevention of postoperative carotid thrombosis.