Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine perioperative changes and correlation of electroencephalography (EEG), neuropsychological test
(NPT), and neurobiochemical markers in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
Patients and methods: A total of 48 patients (28 males, 20 females; mean age: 68.4±7.7 years; range, 43 to 84 years) who underwent carotid
endarterectomy in our clinic between January 2017 and March 2019 were included in the study. Basic activity, slow-wave, and paroxysmal
activities were evaluated using the pre- and postoperative EEG. The S100B protein (S100B), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and glial
fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) values from biochemical markers were studied in all patients in the preoperative period, postoperative early
period (Day 2), and postoperative late period. The NPT was examined preoperatively and at one month postoperatively.
Results: The EEG examination of 30 patients revealed a decrease in the slow-wave frequency and amplitude in the EEG of 10 patients
without ischemia in the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging examination. The S100B and GFAP values decreased and the NSE values
increased statistically significantly in the late postoperative period, although there was no statistically significant difference between the
NSE, S100B, and GFAP values in the early postoperative period before and after carotid endarterectomy operation.
Conclusion: The positive effects of carotid endarterectomy on EEG in the patient group without ischemia can be interpreted as the
electrophysiological evidence and that possible functional damage associated with carotid stenosis can be improved after endarterectomy.
The values of biochemical markers decreased in the late postoperative period with the limitation of inflammation and NSE increased, which
may be associated with neuronal regeneration.

Key words: Carotid, carotid stenosis, electroencephalography, endarterectomy