Influence of antiplatelet therapy on cerebral micro-emboli after carotid endarterectomy using postoperative transcranial Doppler monitoring.

AIM: To study the effect of different antiplatelet regimens (APT) on the rate of postoperative TCD registered micro-embolic signals (MES) following carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, double-blinded, pilot study.

METHODS: The study group of 102 CEA patients (76 men, mean age 66.8 years) was randomised to routine Asasantin (Dipyridamole 200mg/Aspirin 25mg) twice daily (group I; n=39), Asasantin plus 75 mg Clopidogrel once daily (group II; n=33), or Asasantin plus Rheomacrodex (Dextran 40) 100g/L iv; 500 ml (group III; n=30). TCD monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery for the occurrence of MES was performed intra-operatively and during the second postoperative hour following CEA. Primary endpoints were the rate of postoperative emboli and the occurrence of cerebrovascular complications. Secondary endpoint was any adverse bleeding.

RESULTS: There were no deaths or major strokes. We observed 2 intraoperative TIA's (group II and III) and 1 postoperative minor stroke (group I). In comparison with placebo, Clopidogrel or Rheomacrodex in addition to Asasantin produced no significant reduction in the number of postoperative MES. There was no significant difference between the number of postoperative MES and different antiplatelet regimens. The incidence of bleeding complications was not significantly different between the 3 APT groups.

CONCLUSION: In the present study, we could not show a significant influence of different antiplatelet regimens on TCD detected postoperative embolization following CEA.