Carotid thrombendarterectomy (TEA) is effective in preventing strokes which are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, almost 10% of patients undergoing TEA develop a transient and/or permanent neurological injury. There is a growing body of evidence that platelet function is associated with perioperative neurological events in this setting, although the vast majority of patients undergoing carotid TEA are already on antiplatelet agents. The aim of the present study will be to assess the correlation between the platelet function evaluated by the impedance aggregometry (Multiplate ® Analyzer, Roche, Basel, Switzerland) and neurological events in patients undergoing carotid TEA.
Several studies have shown an association between platelet function and stroke in patients undergoing carotid thromboendarterectomy (TEA).~The present study will assess the correlation between platelet function evaluated by the impedance aggregometry and neurological events in patients undergoing carotid TEA.