ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of our study was to compare the primary closure (PRC) and patch angioplasty closure (PAC) of carotid artery following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: Data of patients who underwent CEA in the period from January 2005 to June 2020 were reviewed through files. Demographic characteristics, information about the operation, and postoperative follow-up outcomes of the patients were compared. Results: Of the 144 CEA cases included in the study, PRC and PAC were applied to 62 (43.7%) and 82 (56.3%) patients, respectively, for the carotid artery closure. Duration of surgery and carotid artery clamping time were not different between the PRC and PAC groups (106.73±17.13 minutes vs. 110.48±20.67 minutes, P=0.635; 24.25±11.56 minutes vs. 25.19±8.99 minutes, P=0.351, respectively). Postoperative respiratory impairment was more common in the PRC group (P=0.012); however, nerve injuries (P=0.254), surgical wound hematomas (P=0.605), surgical site infections (P=0.679), and mortality (P=0.812) were not significantly different between the groups. During the mean patient follow-up time of 26.13±19.32 months, restenosis was more common in the PRC group than in the PAC group (n=26, 41.9% vs. n=4, 4.9%, respectively; P=0.003). Frequencies of stroke (n=4, 2.8% vs. n=2, 2.4%, respectively; P=0.679), transient ischemic attacks (n=2, 1.4% vs. n=0, 0%, respectively; P=0.431), and mortality (n=4, 6.5% vs. n=4, 4.9%, respectively; P=0.580) were not significantly different between the PRC and PAC groups. Conclusion: We are of the opinion that the PAC method is effective and safe for carotid artery closure in patients undergoing CEA.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo é investigar patologias cardíacas e extracardíacas em pacientes operados por oclusão arterial aguda. MÉTODOS: Entre março de 2010 e março de 2018, um total de 120 pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico para oclusão arterial aguda foram incluídos neste estudo retrospectivo. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes incluídos, 84 (70%) e 27 (22.5%) apresentavam, respectivamente, patologias cardíacas e extracardíacas. Em 9 (7.5%) dos casos, nenhuma cause para a oclusão arterial foi encontrada. Fibrilação atrial isolada foi encontrada em 39 (32.5%) pacientes. Fibrilação atrial e valvopatias cardíacas foram detectadas em 45 pacientes (37.5%). Entre aqueles com valvopatias cardíacas, 9 (7.5%) tinham estenose mitral isolada, 21 (17. 5%) tinham estenose mitral moderada a avançada com regurgitação tricúspide, 9 (7. 5%) tinham 2°-3° de regurgitação mitral com 3o regurgitação tricúspide, 3 (2. 5%) tinham estenose mitral moderada, 3°-4° regurgitação tricúspide e 2°-3° estenose aórtica, e 3 (2.5%) tinham 3o mitral, 1°- 2° regurgitação tricúspide moderada, estenose aórtica moderada calcificada e doença coronariana. Entre os 27 pacientes com patologia extracardíaca, 21 (22.5%) tinham doença arterial periférica, 3 (2,5%) tinham aneurisma da aorta abdominal, e 3 (2.5%) tinham Doença de Behçet. CONCLUSÃO: Patologias cardíacas e extracardíacas devem ser consideradas em pacientes com oclusão arterial aguda. Assim, patologias detectadas podem ser tratadas e o desenvolvimento de trombos periféricos adicionais pode ser evitado.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies in patients who were operated for acute arterial occlusion. METHODS: Between March 2010 and March 2018, a total of 120 patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute arterial occlusion were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: 84 (70%) and 27 (22. 5%) of the patients had cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies, respectively. In 9 (7. 5%) of the cases, no reason for arterial occlusion could be found. Pure atrial fibrillation was found in 39 (32. 5%) patients. Atrial fibrillation and cardiac valvular pathologies were detected in 45 patients (37. 5%). Among those with a cardiac valvular pathology, 9 patients (7. 5%) had pure mitral stenosis, 21 patients (17. 5%) had moderate to advanced mitral stenosis with tricuspid regurgitation, 9 patients (7. 5%) had 20-30 mitral regurgitation with 30 tricuspid regurgitation, 3 patients (2. 5%) had moderate mitral stenosis, 30-40 tricuspid regurgitation and 20-30 aortic stenosis, and 3 patients (2. 5%) had 30 mitral regurgitation, 10- 20 tricuspid regurgitation, calcific moderate aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease. Among those 27 patients with an extra-cardiac pathology, 21 patients (22. 5%) had peripheral artery disease, 3 patients (2.5%) had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and 3 patients (2. 5%) had Behçet's Disease. CONCLUSION: Cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies should be kept in mind in patients with acute arterial occlusion. Thus, detected pathologies could be treated, and the development of additional peripheral emboli could be prevented.