Symptomatic recurrent carotid stenosis and aneurysmal degeneration after endarterectomy

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal degeneration of a carotid reconstruction was not recognized until the patient, who was known to have recurrent carotid artery stenosis, had a thromboembolic stroke. This sequelae of carotid endarterectomy is a serious complication, associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. This review was conducted to establish the risk of transient ischemic attack and stroke for patients found to have recurrent carotid stenosis associated with aneurysmal degeneration of the carotid artery after endarterectomy. METHODS: A case is reported, and 100 literature references of aneurysmal degeneration of the carotid artery after endarterectomy were reviewed. RESULTS: False aneurysm from anastomotic disruption was the most common presentation identified in the cases reviewed. Nineteen of the patients had a significant neurologic event; however, three (50%) of six patients with aneurysm and recurrent carotid artery stenosis had a transient ischemic attack or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of neurologic symptoms is markedly increased when recurrent carotid artery stenosis is associated with carotid aneurysm. During postoperative surveillance after endarterectomy, the identification of recurrent carotid artery stenosis requires evaluation for aneurysmal degeneration of the carotid artery with duplex scanning. These patients are at significant risk for transient ischemic attack and stroke. This rare complication merits operative repair.