Patients in the UK are waiting too long for vascular surgery after symptoms of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), according to an audit from the Vascular Society and the Royal College of Physicians. In some patients with carotid stenosis, carotid endarterectomy after TIA substantially reduces risk of further stroke. The protective effect is greatest immediately after symptoms occur, but an audit of 7000 procedures done between Jan 1, 2008, and Sept 30, 2009, has shown that patients in the UK are waiting a median 28 days for surgery.
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