Reduced middle cerebral artery velocity during cross-clamp predicts cognitive dysfunction after carotid endarterectomy

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a useful monitor that can be utilized during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Cognitive dysfunction is a subtler and more common form of neurologic injury than stroke. We aimed to determine whether reduced middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean velocity (MV) predicts cognitive dysfunction and if so, whether a threshold of increased risk of cognitive dysfunction can be identified. One hundred twenty-four CEA patients were included in this observational study and neuropsychometrically evaluated preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively. MCA–MV was measured by TCD and percentage of baseline during cross-clamp was calculated (MVcross-clamp/MVbaseline). Patients with cognitive dysfunction had significantly lower MV during cross-clamp than those without cognitive dysfunction (33.1 ± 13.7 cm/s versus 39.6 ± 16.0 cm/s, p = 0.02). In the final multivariate model, each percent reduction in MV was significantly associated with greater risk of cognitive dysfunction (odds ratio [OR]: 0.05 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.01–0.23], p < 0.001) while statin use was associated with lower risk (OR: 0.33 [95% CI 0.12–0.92], p = 0.03). Using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the Youden index identified 72% of baseline MV during cross-clamp as the cutoff of maximum discrimination. Significantly more patients with MV < 72% of baseline during cross-clamp exhibited cognitive dysfunction than patients with MV ⩾ 72% of baseline (74.1% versus 27.1%, p < 0.001). Reduced MCA–MV during cross-clamp is a predictor of cognitive dysfunction exhibited 24 hours after CEA. MCA–MV reduced to <72% of baseline, or a ⩾28% reduction from baseline, is the threshold most strongly associated with increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. These observations should be considered by all clinicians that utilize intraoperative monitoring for CEA.