Cardiac morbidity and mortality following carotid endarterectomy: The importance of diabetes and multiple Eagle risk factors

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine cardiac morbidity and mo rtality in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and (2) to dete rmine whether any Eagle risk factors and/or the indication for CEA are asso ciated with a higher risk of an adverse cardiac event. The records of 123 m ale patients who underwent CEA were retrospectively reviewed. The Eagle ris k factors for adverse cardiac events, indications for CEA, and adverse card iac events were recorded and analyzed. In males undergoing CEA, the presenc e of diabetes or multiple Eagle risk factors significantly increases the ri sk of an adverse postoperative cardiac event. There is no difference in car diac event rate between symptomatic and asymptomatic CEA. Thus, asymptomati c CEA should be approached with caution in these higher cardiac risk patien ts.