Use of transcranial Doppler sonography and acetazoalmide test to demonstrate changes in cerebrovascular reserve capacity following carotid endarterectomy

Objectives: To assess the effect of carotid endarterectomy on cerebrovascular reserve capacity. Methods: Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CVRC) were measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and acetazolamide test in 40 patients who underwent uncomplicated unilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Indication for operation was limited to stenoses > 70% as documented by angiography and/or Duplex scanning. The TCD studies were carried out 6 days (range 1-14 days) before and 8 days (range 5-12 days) after endarterectomy. Results: Before endarterectomy, resting CBFV values and CVRC in the 40 patients were significantly different between the operated (51 +/- 19 cm/s; 20 +/- 16%) and the non-operated (60 +/- 19 cm/s; 34 +/- 24%) hemisphere (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). After CEA the overall increase of resting CBFV of the operated side was highly significant with preoperative CBFV values of 51 +/- 19 cm/s and postoperative values of 62 +/- 15 cm/s (p < 0.01). Cerebrovascular reserve capacity after operation was increased on both sides significantly (non-operated side: from 34 +/- 24% to 43 +/- 19%, p < 0.05; operated side: from 20 +/- 16% to 51 +/- 18%, p < 0.001), and the preoperative asymmetry was no longer present. Conclusions: CEA has a beneficial effect on the cerebral circulation in most patients, even those who presented with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Since CVRC has been assessed in the early postoperative period, our findings also suggest that cerebral vascular adaption occurs within 2 weeks after CEA.