Carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians: Does increased age indicate “high risk?”

CEA is a safe and effective procedure in the octogenarian. The combined stroke/death rate is increased in patients aged ≥80, indicating increased risk, predominantly in symptomatic patients. Although CEA risk in octogenarians is higher compared with a younger cohort, outcomes remain within acceptable national guidelines and within outcome measures known to confer benefit compared with best medical care. Therefore, the term “high risk” should not be arbitrarily applied to patients reaching the 80-year threshold. This is confirmed by the contemporary literature.