Prevention

Surgical complications are more likely with  

• diffuse carotid artery stenosis ^b
• no antiplatelet cover during surgery ^b

Why?

Diffuse carotid artery stenosis or no antiplatelet cover during surgery increase the risk of complications

Patient	Prognostic Factor	Outcome	CER	OR (95% CI)	NNF+ (95% CI)
undergoing carotid endarterectomy b	occlusion of contralateral internal carotid artery independent	stroke or death at 30 days	8.6%	1.91 (1.35 to 2.69)	15 (9 to 37)
	stenosis of distal ipsilateral internal carotid artery independent			1.56 (1.03 to 2.36)	24 (10 to 430)
	stenosis of ipsilateral external carotid artery independent			1.61 (1.05 to 2.47)	22 (10 to 260)
	no perioperative antiplatelet medication independent			2.50 (1.40 to 4.50)	10 (5 to 33)