Ocular Symptoms as an Indication for Carotid Endarterectomy

Overview

Ocular symptoms can be the first sign of carotid artery stenosis. In our carotid endarterectomy patients group were ocular symptoms present in 15%, as the only sign (without accompanying neurological signs) in 10.5%. Amaurosis fugax was a dominant sign in 56 cases, blindness in 5, quadrantanopia in 3; trochlear and oculomotor nerve paresis in one case. Angiography finding of more than 60% ICA stenosis according NASCET criteria was an indication for surgery. The operative technique per se was a microsurgical endarterectomy with selective peroperative shunt application. The 30-d morbidity was 3% - with one case of central retinal artery embolization and subsequent blindness and another case of major residual neurological deficit due to hyperperfusion syndrome and the resultant capsular hemorrhage. Shunt was applied in 3% of cases and microscope was used always since the beginning of the dissection up to the final suture. Considering low perioperative morbidity/mortality rates the carotid endarterectomy represents an important means of brain ischaemia profylaxis. In the process of hemodynamically significant ICA stenosis, indication for surgical management the authors emphasize the role of ocular signs and symptoms and thus the importance of an ophthalmology consultant.

Key words:
carotid atherosclerosis, ocular symptoms, brain ischaemia, carotid endarterectomy