João Rocha Neves , vascular surgeon at Hospital da Luz, concluded his doctorate degree in Cardiovascular Sciences at Porto University Medical School (FMUP). His thesis, which gained the unanimous approval of the jury, was based on the research developed in the area of carotid endarterectomy, a surgical procedure viewing to clear the carotid arteries and reduce the risk of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The carotid arteries obstruction is a pathology responsible for 20% of CVAs. João Rocha Neves looked specifically into some aspects of the carotid endarterectomy, when performed under regional anaesthesia . In broad terms, the study brings important contributions to understand the risk factors associated with cerebrovascular surgical procedures and highlights the importance of continuing research in this area. Entitled “Predictors of Outcome in Carotid Endarterectomy with Regional Anaesthesia”, the thesis established the following main conclusions: There are important factors in the prediction of neurologic complications during the surgery – namely, an increase in certain blood parameters, age, obesity and the severity of the neck arteries obstruction. The neurologic complications during surgery increase the risk of CVA within the following 30 days, as well as significant complications in the postoperative period. However, and surprisingly, the research did not find evidence that patients presenting neurologic deficits during surgery will have a higher risk of developing CVA subsequently (after 30 days) or suffering from new carotid obstruction. The work developed in the thesis had for advisor and co-advisor, respectively, José Paulo Andrade and Ricardo Vaz, both from FMUP. In the photo above, the new doctor and the elements of the jury: Augusto Ministro (Lisbon University School of Medicine), Piotr Myrcha (Warsaw University School of Medicine, Poland), João Rocha Neves, José Paulo Andrade (FMUP), Isaura Ferreira Tavares (FMUP, and president of the jury), and Marina Dias Neto (FMUP).
