Technical controversies in carotid artery surgery

Abstract

Carotid endarterectomy has become a routine and safe therapeutic strategy in most neurovascular centers. Wide diversity of opinion and considerable debate, however, persists concerning the ideal methods of anesthetic management, cerebral protection, intraoperative monitoring, and arterial repair. We have examined and summarized the current status of these controversies and have identified several new techniques that hold promise for further development.