Editor's Choice - The National Norwegian Carotid Study: Time from Symptom Onset to Surgery is too Long, Resulting in Additional Neurological Events.

Objective/background: The objective was to observe for 1 year all patients in Norway operated on for symptomatic carotid stenosis with respect to (i) the time from the index event to surgery and neurological events during this time; (ii) the level in the healthcare system causing delay of surgical treatment; and (iii) the possible relationship between peri-operative use of platelet inhibitors and neurological events while awaiting surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective national multicentre study of a consecutive series of symptomatic patients. Patients were eligible for inclusion when referred for surgery.