An Update of the Role of Endovascular Repair in Blunt Carotid Artery Trauma

Moulakakis, K.G.; Mylonas, S.; Avgerinos, E.; Kotsis, T.; Liapis, C.D.

doi:10.1016/j.ejvs.2010.05.003

« Previous Next »European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
Volume 40, Issue 3 , Pages 312-319, September 2010

An Update of the Role of Endovascular Repair in Blunt Carotid Artery Trauma

K.G. Moulakakis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Corresponding author at: Department of Vascular Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, GR 12462 Haidari, Greece. Tel.: +30 6937357508.
S. Mylonas
- 1st Department of Surgery, ‘Hellenic Red Cross Hospital’, Athens, Greece
E. Avgerinos
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
T. Kotsis
- Vascular Surgical Unit, 2nd Surgical Department, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
C.D. Liapis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

Received 10 February 2010; accepted 11 May 2010. published online 23 June 2010.

Abstract

Blunt carotid injury (BCAI) is an increasingly recognised entity in trauma patients. Without a prompt diagnosis and a proper treatment, they can result in devastating consequences with cerebral ischaemia rate of 40–80% and mortality rate of 25–60%. Several applied screening protocols and continuously improving diagnostic modalities have been developed to identify patients with BCAI. The appropriate treatment of BCAI still remains controversial and strictly individualised. Besides anti-thrombotic/anticoagulation therapy and surgical intervention, continuously evolving endovascular techniques emerge as an additional treatment option for patients with BCAI. We provide an update on blunt carotid trauma, emphasising the role of endovascular approaches.

Keywords: Blunt injury, Carotid trauma, Endovascular, Stent