Gender-specific risk of perioperative complications in carotid endarterectomy patients with contralateral carotid artery stenosis or occlusion.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to be effective in stroke prevention in selected patients. Some studies, however, identified gender as an independent risk factor for perioperative CEA complications demonstrating an increased rate of perioperative stroke or death in women. Furthermore, contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion has been associated with higher rates of perioperative CEA complications.