Anesthetics and Cerebral Protection in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy

CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA/HYPOXIA may occur in a variety of perioperative circumstances. The main pathophysiologic aspects involved in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion are caused by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) consumption, the excitotoxic actions of glutamate, changes in ionic homeostasis, and formation of free radicals (Fig 1). Outcomes from such events range from subclinical neurocognitive deficits to catastrophic neurologic morbidity or death.1 Stroke is a severe complication that occurs rarely, perioperatively, but when it happens, stroke is associated with a high mortality or results in serious disability.

Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - October 3, 2014 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Miomir Jovic, Dragana Unic-Stojanovic, Esma Isenovic, Rizzo Manfredi, Olivera Cekic, Nenad Ilijevski, Srdjan Babic, Djordje Radak Tags: Review ArticleGiovanni Landoni, MDSection Editors? > Source Type: research