Making carotid surgery safer

Carotid surgery has been shown to be beneficial in level one randomised trials. However, evidence suggests that current outcomes do not match those published in 1991. In order to make carotid endarterectomy safer in the future, it is essential to optimise patient selection and risk factor management and to maintain an obsessional approach to surgical technique. A planned strategy of monitoring and quality control assessment can also contribute towards a sustained reduction in the peri-operative risk.