Outcome Analysis of Carotid Cross-Clamp Intolerance during Carotid Endarterectomy under Locoregional Anesthesia

BACKGROUND: To analyze the predictors and describe the outcomes of cross-clamp intolerance (CCI) and the results of the use of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with shunting or a shift strategy to immediate carotid artery stenting (CAS) in this setting. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2015, 385 patients were elected for single-sided, isolated CEA under locoregional anesthesia. In case of CCI, CEA with shunt was used selectively, whereas indication to immediate conversion to CAS was the immediate onset and severe persistent deterioration of the neurologic status, and/or local technical difficulties to perform endarterectomy. Primary outcome was prevention of death and all early (<30 days) perioperative cerebrovascular events. RESULTS: We treated 169 (43.9%) symptomatic lesions; urgent (≤48 hours) intervention was performed in 85 (22.1%) cases. Carotid CCI occurred in 45 (11.7%) patients. CEA with shunt was used in 16, whereas CAS in 27 (7.0%, 2 refused further treatment). Multivariable analysis identified hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 2.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-8.52; P = 0.049) and symptomatic lesions (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.11-4.93; P = 0.025) as significant predictors of CCI. In-hospital mortality rate was 0.5%; none occurred in CCI group. Postoperative cerebrovascular event rate was 2.3% (n = 9). At multivariable analyses, only CCI (OR: 6.60, 95% CI: 1.65-26.36; P = 0.008) was significantly associated with postoperative cerebrovascular events, with no significant different clinical outcomes between CEA and CAS. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension and symptomatic carotid stenosis were significant predictors of CCI, which was found to be predictive for postoperative cerebrovascular events. In selected patients with CCI, CAS had satisfactory, similar results of CEA.