Carotid artery dissection after the intracarotid amobarbital test

Neurology. 2002 Dec 10;59(11):1797-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000035635.30367.b6.

Abstract

A retrospective chart review of 435 consecutive intracarotid amobarbital tests (IAT) was performed to determine the frequency of carotid artery dissection (CAD) associated with IAT. Three patients with a CAD were found (0.7%). Mean age of patients with dissection (51.3 years) was higher than the average age of 432 patients without dissection (31.7 years) (p < 0.05). All patients had clinical symptoms including face or neck pain. Patients undergoing the IAT are at risk of CAD. Age may be a risk factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amobarbital / adverse effects*
  • Carotid Artery Injuries / etiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epilepsy / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects*
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial / adverse effects
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Amobarbital