Commentary on “Minimizing the Complications of Carotid Endarterctomy”
Abstract
Commentary on “Minimizing the Complications of Carotid Endarterctomy” SAGE Publications, Inc. 201010.1177/1531003510383159 © The Author(s) The Author(s) KennethCherry MD Kjc5kh@virginia.edu Corresponding Author: Kenneth Cherry Momin and Ricotta, of the Washington Hospital Center, have written an excellent review of the complications attendant to carotid endarterectomy (CEA)—causes, tim- ing, prevention and/or minimization, and response. This monograph would serve well as a primer for vascular sur- geons at all levels in the recognition and treatment of CEA complications and, perhaps even more important, in the preoperative and intraoperative steps to reduce the rate of complications. I am unaware of another document that details as well and as succinctly the perioperative compli- cations of CEA and gives the house officer or the attending surgeon an algorithm to address them. The article is very well written: It is clear, grammatically precise, and appropriately concise without omitting any necessary information. The authors divide their analyses into these 3 major groups: (a) periprocedural systemic complications, (b) periprocedural local complications, and (c) late complications. Periprocedural Systemic Complications (Hemodynamic Instability, Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, Death) This and the following section are the heart of the article from my viewpoint. Hypertension and hypotension are addressed. I found particularly salient