Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the outcome after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.
Methods: We prospectively recorded the data from patients who underwent CEA. A patient was considered diabetic when he reported the use of antidiabetic medication. De novo diagnosis of diabetes was defined as the first demonstration of a fasting glucose serum concentration >126 mg/dL or >200 mg/dL after glucose load. An early adverse outcome was defined as the occurrence of ipsilateral minor or major stroke and/or death during the 30-day postoperative period.
Results: The stroke and death rate was significantly higher in diabetic patients (n = 380) compared to the controls (n = 971; 4.5% versus 1.5%, P = .002). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between the presence of diabetes and 30-day stroke and death rate (OR 2.94, CI 1.46-5.97, P = .003).
Conclusions: Diabetic patients are at greater risk for perioperative stroke and death.