Influence of gender and use of regional anesthesia on carotid endarterectomy outcomes

ObjectiveCarotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure to reduce the risk of stroke. The operation may be performed under general anesthesia (GA) or regional anesthesia (RA). We used a national database to determine how postoperative outcomes were influenced by gender and type of anesthesia used.MethodsAll patients who underwent CEA between 2005 and 2011 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (N = 41,442). Incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) within 30 days as well as other postoperative complications, operative time, and hospital length of stay were examined in groups separated by gender and anesthesia type. Multivariable logistic regression with effect modification was used to determine significant risk-adjusted differences between genders and type of anesthesia to assess outcomes after CEA.ResultsThe male-to-female ratio among CEA cases performed was approximately 3:2. Most cases were performed under GA (85% male patients, 86% female patients). Adjusted multivariable analysis showed no statistical difference in rates of MI and stroke based on gender or type of anesthesia used. There were, however, higher 30-day postoperative local complications and MI (both P < .05) in those who had GA vs RA regardless of gender before adjustment. Total operative time was decreased (mean difference, −8.15 minutes; 95% confidence interval, −10.09 to −6.21; P < .001) and length of stay was increased (mean difference, 0.34 day; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.54; P < .02) in women, with statistical significance, whether RA or GA was used.ConclusionsOn adjusted multivariate analysis, there is no statistically significant difference in postoperative incidence of MI or stroke between men and women undergoing CEA. Use of RA vs GA did not affect this finding. Furthermore, there was no correlation between gender and the type of anesthesia chosen. Women, however, experienced decreased operative times and increased length of stay regardless of anesthesia type.