(Stroke. 1999;30:1751-1758.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Contributions |
From the John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada (G.G.F., M.E., J.W.F., H.J.M.B.); Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada (G.G.F., M.E., H.W.K.B., V.C.H., H.J.M.B.); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada (M.E.); Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (G.P.C.); Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (R.W.B.); Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (M.C.W.); and Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (D.W.T., R.B.H.).
Correspondence to Gary G. Ferguson, MD, c/o NASCET, The John P. Robarts Research Institute, PO Box 5015, 100 Perth Dr, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5K8. E-mail gary.ferguson{at}lhsc.on.ca
Background and PurposeThis study reports the surgical results in those patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET).
MethodsThe rates of perioperative stroke and death at 30 days and the final assessment of stroke severity at 90 days were calculated. Regression modeling was used to identify variables that increased or decreased perioperative risk. Nonoutcome surgical complications were summarized. The durability of carotid endarterectomy was examined.
ResultsIn 1415 patients there were 92 perioperative outcome events, for an overall rate of 6.5%. At 30 days the results were as follows: death, 1.1%; disabling stroke, 1.8%; and nondisabling stroke, 3.7%. At 90 days, because of improvement in the neurological status of patients judged to have been disabled at 30 days, the results were as follows: death, 1.1%; disabling stroke, 0.9%; and nondisabling stroke, 4.5%. Thirty events occurred intraoperatively; 62 were delayed. Most strokes resulted from thromboembolism. Five baseline variables were predictive of increased surgical risk: hemispheric versus retinal transient ischemic attack as the qualifying event, left-sided procedure, contralateral carotid occlusion, ipsilateral ischemic lesion on CT scan, and irregular or ulcerated ipsilateral plaque. History of coronary artery disease with prior cardiac procedure was associated with reduced risk. The risk of perioperative wound complications was 9.3%, and that of cranial nerve injuries was 8.6%; most were of mild severity. At 8 years, the risk of disabling ipsilateral stroke was 5.7%, and that of any ipsilateral stroke was 17.1%.
ConclusionsThe overall rate of perioperative stroke and death was 6.5%, but the rate of permanently disabling stroke and death was only 2.0%. Other surgical complications were rarely clinically important. Carotid endarterectomy is a durable procedure.
Key Words: carotid endarterectomy complications risk factors
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
L.-P. Girard, T. E. Feasby, M. Eliasziw, H. Quan, J. Kennedy, H. J.M. Barnett, and W. A. Ghali Complication Rates After Left- Versus Right-Sided Carotid Endarterectomy Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes, November 1, 2009; 2(6): 642 - 647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H.-C. Diener and C. Weimar Update of secondary stroke prevention Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., June 1, 2009; 24(6): 1718 - 1724. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. D. Stoneham and J. P. Thompson Arterial pressure management and carotid endarterectomy Br. J. Anaesth., April 1, 2009; 102(4): 442 - 452. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. J.M. Barnett Personal Reflections From a Front-Row Seat at the Greatest Show on Earth (Life): Part II (Stroke Research Commentary) Stroke, March 1, 2009; 40(3): e53 - e65. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. A. Halm, S. Tuhrim, J. J. Wang, C. Rockman, T. S. Riles, and M. R. Chassin Risk Factors for Perioperative Death and Stroke After Carotid Endarterectomy: Results of the New York Carotid Artery Surgery Study Stroke, January 1, 2009; 40(1): 221 - 229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. J. Heyer, M. I. Gold, E. W. Kirby, J. Zurica, E. Mitchell, H. J. Halazun, L. Teverbaugh, R. R. Sciacca, R. A. Solomon, D. O. Quest, et al. A Study of Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients Having Carotid Endarterectomy Performed with Regional Anesthesia Anesth. Analg., August 1, 2008; 107(2): 636 - 642. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. A. Meeske and M. B. Nelson The Role of the Long-Term Follow-up Clinic in Discovering New Emerging Late Effects in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, July 1, 2008; 25(4): 213 - 219. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Kojuri, M. A Ostovan, N. Zamiri, A. Zolghadr Asli, M. A Bani Hashemi, and A. Borhani Haghighi Procedural Outcome and Midterm Result of Carotid Stenting in High-Risk Patients Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, April 1, 2008; 16(2): 93 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. E. Feasby, J. Kennedy, H. Quan, L. Girard, and W. A. Ghali Real-World Replication of Randomized Controlled Trial Results for Carotid Endarterectomy Arch Neurol, October 1, 2007; 64(10): 1496 - 1500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Maynar, S. Baldi, R. Rostagno, T. Zander, M. Rabellino, R. Llorens, J. Alvarez, and F. Barajas Carotid Stenting without Use of Balloon Angioplasty and Distal Protection Devices: Preliminary Experience in 100 Cases AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., August 1, 2007; 28(7): 1378 - 1383. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. R. Bates, C. J. D. Babb, D. E. Casey, C. U. Cates, G. R. Duckwiler, T. E. Feldman, W. A. Gray, K. Ouriel, E. D. Peterson, K. Rosenfield, et al. ACCF/SCAI/SVMB/SIR/ASITN 2007 Clinical Expert Consensus Document on Carotid Stenting: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents (ACCF/SCAI/SVMB/SIR/ASITN Clinical Expert Consensus Document Committee on Carotid Stenting) Vascular Medicine, February 1, 2007; 12(1): 35 - 83. [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. A. Halm, S. Tuhrim, J. J. Wang, M. Rojas, E. L. Hannan, and M. R. Chassin Has evidence changed practice?: Appropriateness of carotid endarterectomy after the clinical trials Neurology, January 16, 2007; 68(3): 187 - 194. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
American Society of Interventional & Therapeutic N, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interve, Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology, Society of Interventional Radiology, E. R. Bates, J. D. Babb, D. E. Casey Jr, C. U. Cates, G. R. Duckwiler, T. E. Feldman, et al. ACCF/SCAI/SVMB/SIR/ASITN 2007 Clinical Expert Consensus Document on Carotid Stenting: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents (ACCF/SCAI/SVMB/SIR/ASITN Clinical Expert Consensus Document Committee on Carotid Stenting) J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 2, 2007; 49(1): 126 - 170. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Koch, M. Cristiani, and D. Schmartz Incorrect Shunt Placement Due to Anatomic Variations of the Aortic Arch During Carotid Endarterectomy: A Rare Cause of Perioperative Ischemia? Anesth. Analg., December 1, 2006; 103(6): 1617 - 1618. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. S. Roubin, S. Iyer, A. Halkin, J. Vitek, and C. Brennan Realizing the Potential of Carotid Artery Stenting: Proposed Paradigms for Patient Selection and Procedural Technique Circulation, April 25, 2006; 113(16): 2021 - 2030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. J. Press, M. R. Chassin, J. Wang, S. Tuhrim, and E. A. Halm Predicting Medical and Surgical Complications of Carotid Endarterectomy: Comparing the Risk Indexes. Arch Intern Med, April 24, 2006; 166(8): 914 - 920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Gupta, A. Abou-Chebl, C. T. Bajzer, H. C. Schumacher, and J. S. Yadav Rate, Predictors, and Consequences of Hemodynamic Depression After Carotid Artery Stenting J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 18, 2006; 47(8): 1538 - 1543. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. C Landgraff, S. L Whitney, E. N Rubinstein, and H. Yonas Use of the Physical Performance Test to Assess Preclinical Disability in Subjects With Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Disease Physical Therapy, April 1, 2006; 86(4): 541 - 548. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. J. Heyer, D. A. Wilson, D. H. Sahlein, J. Mocco, S. C. Williams, R. Sciacca, A. Rampersad, R. J. Komotar, J. Zurica, A. Benvenisty, et al. APOE-{varepsilon}4 predisposes to cognitive dysfunction following uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy Neurology, December 13, 2005; 65(11): 1759 - 1763. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B.A.N. Verhoeven, J.P.P.M. de Vries, G. Pasterkamp, R.G.A. Ackerstaff, A.H. Schoneveld, E. Velema, D.P.V. de Kleijn, and F.L. Moll Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Characteristics Are Associated With Microembolization During Carotid Endarterectomy and Procedural Outcome Stroke, August 1, 2005; 36(8): 1735 - 1740. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. B. Chang, T. A. Stein, M. Eliasziw, S. Alamowitch, and H. J.M. Barnett The Risk and Benefit of Endarterectomy In Women With Symptomatic Internal Carotid Artery Disease * Response: Stroke, July 1, 2005; 36(7): 1357 - 1358. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Dick, C. Sherif, S. Sabeti, J. Amighi, E. Minar, and M. Schillinger Gender Differences in Outcome of Conservatively Treated Patients With Asymptomatic High Grade Carotid Stenosis Stroke, June 1, 2005; 36(6): 1178 - 1183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Kastrup, K. Groschel, J. B. Schulz, T. Nagele, and U. Ernemann Clinical Predictors of Transient Ischemic Attack, Stroke, or Death Within 30 Days of Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting Stroke, April 1, 2005; 36(4): 787 - 791. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. G. Roh, H. S. Byun, J. W. Ryoo, D. G. Na, W.-J. Moon, B. B. Lee, and D.-I. Kim Prospective Analysis of Cerebral Infarction After Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Artery Stent Placement by Using Diffusion-Weighted Imaging AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., February 1, 2005; 26(2): 376 - 384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. W G Carrell and J. H N Wolfe Non-cardiac vascular disease Heart, February 1, 2005; 91(2): 265 - 270. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S R Messe, S E Kasner, Z Mehta, C P Warlow, P M Rothwell, and for the European Carotid Surgery Trialists Effect of body size on operative risk of carotid endarterectomy J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, December 1, 2004; 75(12): 1759 - 1761. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. M. Biasi, A. Froio, E. B. Diethrich, G. Deleo, S. Galimberti, P. Mingazzini, A. N. Nicolaides, M. Griffin, D. Raithel, D. B. Reid, et al. Carotid Plaque Echolucency Increases the Risk of Stroke in Carotid Stenting: The Imaging in Carotid Angioplasty and Risk of Stroke (ICAROS) Study Circulation, August 10, 2004; 110(6): 756 - 762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. T. Higashida, P. M. Meyers, C. C. Phatouros, J. J. Connors III, J. D. Barr, D. Sacks, and for the Technology Assessment Committees of the Am Reporting Standards for Carotid Artery Angioplasty and Stent Placement Stroke, May 1, 2004; 35(5): e112 - e134. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. D. Stoneham Editorial I: 'It ain't what you do; it's the way that you do it ...': reducing haemodynamic instability during carotid surgery Br. J. Anaesth., March 1, 2004; 92(3): 321 - 323. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Sabeti, M. Schillinger, W. Mlekusch, T. Nachtmann, W. Lang, R. Ahmadi, and E. Minar Contralateral High-Grade Carotid Artery Stenosis or Occlusion Is Not Associated with Increased Risk for Poor Neurologic Outcome after Elective Carotid Stent Placement Radiology, January 1, 2004; 230(1): 70 - 76. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. V. Tu, H. Wang, B. Bowyer, L. Green, J. Fang, and D. Kucey Risk Factors for Death or Stroke After Carotid Endarterectomy: Observations From the Ontario Carotid Endarterectomy Registry Stroke, November 1, 2003; 34(11): 2568 - 2573. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. J. Howard and W. Rosamond Editorial Comment--Identifying Risk Factors for Perioperative Outcomes After Carotid Endarterectomy: The Story Continues Stroke, November 1, 2003; 34(11): 2573 - 2575. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. J. Adams, M. I. Chimowitz, J. S. Alpert, I. A. Awad, M. D. Cerqueria, P. Fayad, and K. A. Taubert Coronary Risk Evaluation in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack and Ischemic Stroke: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Stroke Council and the Council on Clinical Cardiology of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Circulation, September 9, 2003; 108(10): 1278 - 1290. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. J. Adams, M. I. Chimowitz, J. S. Alpert, I. A. Awad, M. D. Cerqueria, P. Fayad, and K. A. Taubert Coronary Risk Evaluation in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack and Ischemic Stroke: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Stroke Council and the Council on Clinical Cardiology of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke, September 1, 2003; 34(9): 2310 - 2322. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. J. Cook and G. A. Rooke Priorities in Perioperative Geriatrics Anesth. Analg., June 1, 2003; 96(6): 1823 - 1836. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. A. Halm, M. R. Chassin, S. Tuhrim, L. H. Hollier, A. J. Popp, E. Ascher, H. Dardik, G. Faust, and T. S. Riles Revisiting the Appropriateness of Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke, June 1, 2003; 34(6): 1464 - 1471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Ballotta Editorial Comment--Female Sex: A Questionable Risk Factor for Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke, May 1, 2003; 34(5): 1124 - 1125. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Barth and C. Bassetti Patient Selection for Carotid Endarterectomy: How Far Is Risk Modeling Applicable to the Individual? Stroke, February 1, 2003; 34(2): 524 - 527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
References Circulation, December 17, 2002; 106(25): 3373 - 3421. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
Z. Kaposzta, A. Clifton, J. Molloy, J. F. Martin, and H. S. Markus S-Nitrosoglutathione Reduces Asymptomatic Embolization After Carotid Angioplasty Circulation, December 10, 2002; 106(24): 3057 - 3062. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E.J. Cunningham, R. Bond, Z. Mehta, M.R. Mayberg, C.P. Warlow, and P.M. Rothwell Long-Term Durability of Carotid Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Stenosis and Risk Factors for Late Postoperative Stroke Stroke, November 1, 2002; 33(11): 2658 - 2663. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Chaturvedi and R. Fessler Angioplasty and stenting for stroke prevention: Good questions that need answers Neurology, September 10, 2002; 59(5): 664 - 668. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. L. Stork, C. R. Levi, B. R. Chambers, A. L. Abbott, and G. A. Donnan Possible Determinants of Early Microembolism After Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke, August 1, 2002; 33(8): 2082 - 2085. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Wutke, W. Lang, C. Fellner, R. Janka, C. Denzel, M. Lell, W. Bautz, and F. A. Fellner High-Resolution, Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography With Elliptical Centric k-Space Ordering of Supra-aortic Arteries Compared With Selective X-Ray Angiography Stroke, June 1, 2002; 33(6): 1522 - 1529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. J.M. Barnett, H. E. Meldrum, and M. Eliasziw The appropriate use of carotid endarterectomy Can. Med. Assoc. J., April 1, 2002; 166(9): 1169 - 1179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. T. Granton and A. W. Gelb Neuroprotection During Carotid Endarterectomy Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, March 1, 2002; 6(1): 21 - 25. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. Lane and J. Byrne Carotid artery surgery for people with existing coronary artery disease Heart, January 1, 2002; 87(1): 86 - 90. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. L. Hannan, A. J. Popp, P. Feustel, E. Halm, G. Bernardini, J. Waldman, D. Shah, and M. R. Chassin Association of Surgical Specialty and Processes of Care With Patient Outcomes for Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke, December 1, 2001; 32(12): 2890 - 2897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. H. Brooks, R. R. McClure, M. R. Jones, T. C. Coleman, and L. Breathitt Carotid angioplasty and stenting versus carotid endarterectomy: randomized trial in a community hospital J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 15, 2001; 38(6): 1589 - 1595. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. L. Bernardini, R. C. Darling III, D. M. Shah, R. Berguer, and H. J. M. Barnett Results of carotid endarterectomy with prospective neurologist follow-up Neurology, April 24, 2001; 56(8): 1119 - 1121. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. J. Feiwell, L. Besmertis, R. Sarkar, D. A. Saloner, and J. H. Rapp Detection of Clinically Silent Infarcts after Carotid Endarterectomy by Use of Diffusion-weighted Imaging AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., April 1, 2001; 22(4): 646 - 649. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. Malek, R. T. Higashida, C. C. Phatouros, T. E. Lempert, P. M. Meyers, W. S. Smith, C. F. Dowd, and V. V. Halbach Stent Angioplasty for Cervical Carotid Artery Stenosis in High-Risk Symptomatic NASCET-Ineligible Patients Stroke, December 1, 2000; 31(12): 3029 - 3033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Grubhofer, W. Plochl, M. Skolka, M. Czerny, M. Ehrlich, and A. Lassnigg Comparing Doppler Ultrasonography and Cerebral Oximetry as Indicators for Shunting in Carotid Endarterectomy Anesth. Analg., December 1, 2000; 91(6): 1339 - 1344. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. C. Phatouros, R. T. Higashida, A. M. Malek, P. M. Meyers, T. E. Lempert, C. F. Dowd, and V. V. Halbach Carotid Artery Stent Placement for Atherosclerotic Disease: Rationale, Technique, and Current Status Radiology, October 1, 2000; 217(1): 26 - 41. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
S. Chaturvedi, R. Aggarwal, and A. Murugappan Results of carotid endarterectomy with prospective neurologist follow-up Neurology, September 26, 2000; 55(6): 769 - 772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. O'Neill, D. J. Lanska, and A. Hartz Surgeon characteristics associated with mortality and morbidity following carotid endarterectomy Neurology, September 26, 2000; 55(6): 773 - 781. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M.M. Sabetai, T.J. Tegos, A.N. Nicolaides, S. Dhanjil, G.J. Pare, and J.M. Stevens Reproducibility of Computer-Quantified Carotid Plaque Echogenicity : Can We Overcome the Subjectivity? Stroke, September 1, 2000; 31(9): 2189 - 2196. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. L. Babikian and N. L. Cantelmo Cerebrovascular Monitoring During Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke, August 1, 2000; 31(8): 1799 - 1801. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Barth, L. Remonda, K.-O. Lovblad, G. Schroth, and R. W. Seiler Silent Cerebral Ischemia Detected by Diffusion-Weighted MRI After Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke, August 1, 2000; 31(8): 1824 - 1828. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Crawley, J. Stygall, S. Lunn, M. Harrison, M. M. Brown, and S. Newman Comparison of Microembolism Detected by Transcranial Doppler and Neuropsychological Sequelae of Carotid Surgery and Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty Stroke, June 1, 2000; 31(6): 1329 - 1334. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D E. Strandness Jr Carotid artery disease: is the debate over? Vascular Medicine, May 1, 2000; 5(2): 67 - 68. [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Carotid angioplasty and stenting: current status Can. Med. Assoc. J., May 1, 2000; 162(10): 1451 - 1454. |
||||
![]() |
H. J. M. Barnett and H. E. Meldrum Carotid Endarterectomy: A Neurotherapeutic Advance Arch Neurol, January 1, 2000; 57(1): 40 - 45. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Perioperative Complications Associated with Carotid Endarterectomy Journal Watch Neurology, December 1, 1999; 1999(1201): 1 - 1. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
Complications of Carotid Endarterectomy Journal Watch (General), October 15, 1999; 1999(1015): 7 - 7. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
P. B. Gorelick Carotid Endarterectomy : Where Do We Draw the Line? Stroke, September 1, 1999; 30(9): 1745 - 1750. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
|
Stroke Home | Subscriptions | Archives | Feedback | Authors | Help | AHA Journals Home | Search Copyright © 1999 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. |