Intracerebral Hemorrhage after Discharge from Carotid Endarterectomy: An Extraordinary Complication Despite Standard Anticoagulation

Abstract

Carotid artery disease is the most important source of cerebrovascular diseases, causing a high rate of morbidity and mortality. While there are medical and interventional treatment options for carotid artery disease, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the gold standard treatment for severe carotid artery stenosis. Our study focuses on a rare complication encountered in a 74-year-old female patient who underwent carotid endarterectomy for carotid artery disease. Our patient, who had a smooth postoperative course, developed intracranial hemorrhage after discharge. This complication, occurring under standard antiplatelet therapy, is quite rare in the literature. Our aim is to contribute this rare complication to the literature with our case report.