Editor's Choice – Effect of More Expedited Carotid Intervention on Recurrent Ischaemic Event Rate: A National Audit

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The benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting (CAS) for symptomatic stenosis depends on the timing in relation to the presenting event. As the risk of recurrent events is highest in the early phase, guidelines recommend a short delay. The purpose of this national audit was to study the effects of more expedient carotid intervention on the risk of recurrent ischaemic events. Data on all CEA and CAS for symptomatic stenosis, including both recurrent ischaemic events during the waiting time to carotid intervention and peri-operative 30 day complication rates, were obtained from the Swedish Vascular Registry between May 2008 and December 2015. The National Prescribed Drug Registry provided data on preventive medication prior to hospitalisation with the presenting event. The primary endpoint was a recurrent cerebral ischaemic event occurring after the presenting event up to 30 days of post-operative follow up. A total of 6814 procedures for symptomatic carotid stenosis were studied. The proportion of recurrent ischaemic events, meaning all secondary events occurring after the presenting event up to 30 days follow up with inclusion of all pre- and post-intervention recurrences was recorded. These recurrent events decreased over time, from 31% in 2008-2009 to 21% in 2014-2015 (p<.01, chi-square test). In parallel, the median waiting time for carotid intervention decreased from 13 (IQR 6-27) to 7 days (IQR 4-12). Baseline demographic variables and comorbidities were similar during the study period. The proportion of pre-operative recurrences were reduced from 25% to 18% (p<.01, chi-square test) while the peri-operative stroke and/or death rate was 3.6%, and improved slightly during the study. A substantial reduction in the secondary ischaemic event rate was observed when the median waiting time for CEA/CAS was reduced, and this was not counterbalanced by any increase in the peri-operative complication rate.