Assessing risk associated with carotid endarterectomy. A statement for health professionals by an Ad Hoc Committee on Carotid Surgery Standards of the Stroke Council, American Heart Association.

This position statement provides guidelines for assessing risk associated with carotid endarterectomy and defines the point at which risk is too high to perform surgery for specific indications described below. Morbidity and mortality levels are discussed. This statement does not address indications for surgery or merits of specific medical or surgical treatments. Results of current studies that compare relative risk of various treatments for carotid artery disease are not yet available.