Current practice of carotid endarterectomy in the UK

Source: British Journal of Surgery 2012 Feb; 99 (2): 209-216

Follow this link for abstract

Date of publication: December 2011

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This study assesses national surgical practice of Carotid endarterectomy through audit of CEA procedures and outcomes. The results show that CEA is performed less commonly in the UK than in other European countries and probably remains underutilized in the prevention of stroke. Increasing the number of CEAs done in the UK, together with reducing surgical waiting times, could prevent more strokes.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library for the full text of this article. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Thousands of patients miss out on stroke prevention surgery

Source: The Stroke Association 21st June 2011

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: June 2011

Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: A new report from the Royal College of Physicians and The Vascular Society suggests that despite high profile public awareness campaigns, more than half of NHS patients with symptoms of stroke or mini stroke are failing to get fast access to life-saving stroke prevention surgery. The UK Carotid Endarterectomy Audit shows that a lack of public and professional awareness about the need for quick treatment, combined with badly designed hospital services, is resulting in hundreds of preventable strokes.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: The report on which these comments are based can be viewed here.

Mini-stroke victims ‘miss out on vital care’

Source: BBC

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: This news item provides details from the results of an audit carried out by The Royal College of Physicians and The Vascular Society on vascular surgical services and carotid endarterectomy. The results from the audit show that just a third of 3,000 patients had carotid endarterectomy surgery by the two-week deadline, and many did not get it at all.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Some important notes: The full audit report can be viewed by following this link.

Improving the provision of carotid endarterectomy in line with UK Government targets requires more than just motivated surgeons

Source: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 2009 May; 91 (4): 326-9

Follow this link for abstract

Date of publication: May 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: The aim of this study was to determine if a surgeon with an interest in carotid endarterectomy could make simple changes to practice patterns so that the procedure could be perfomed within two weeks of referral in the majority of patients. This study provides useful information for the development of carotid endarterectomy services in the UK.

Length of publication: 4 page article

Waiting times for carotid endarterectomy in UK: observational study

Source: BMJ 2009 Jun; 338: b1847

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This observational study considers the timeliness of carotid endarterectomy services provided in the UK. The study measures the speed of patient assessement and surgery and takes into consideration operative and postoperative mortality.  Recommendations for implementing faster surgical referral are provided.

Length of publication: 6 page article