Awake carotid endarterectomy to decrease stroke rate in high-risk patients

Abstract

It is controversial whether regional anaesthesia and awake carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is associated with a better perioperative prognosis in comparison with general anaesthesia for CEA. However, awake CEA may well decrease the perioperative stroke risk in patients with pathology associated with a high risk for cerebral ischaemia. This is illustrated in this case report.