title: Comparing outcomes of carotid endarterectomy with international benchmarks: audit from an Italian vascular surgery department.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the current practice of our department of vascular surgery with international benchmarks.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-patient data from 488 CEA performed in both symptomatic 145 (29.7%) and asymptomatic 343 (70.3%) patients with a > or = 60% stenosis at the level of the internal carotid artery. Comprehensive retrospective review of the records for all the CEAs performed during a 2-year period. The main outcome measures were death rate, and fatal and non-fatal stroke rates perioperatively, and at 30 and 180 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fatal and non-fatal stroke rates of symptomatic patients were: 0.7% perioperatively, 0.7% at 30 days, and 0.7% at 180 days. The fatal and non-fatal stroke rates of asymptomatic patients were: 0.6% perioperatively, 0.6% at 30 days, and 0.3% at 180 days. The death rates of symptomatic patients were 0% for all time periods. The death rates of asymptomatic patients were: 0% perioperatively, 0% at 30 days, and 0.3% at 180 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present comprehensive audit shows that our surgeons achieve CEA outcomes comparable with international benchmarks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, S. Agostino Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioacchino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moratto
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ragazzi
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silingardi
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benassi Franciosi
authors.forename: Anna Vittoria
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ciardullo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome