Table 1.
Characteristics of the 3625 patients
| Allocated CAS (n=1811) | Allocated CEA (n=1814) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | ||
| Male | 1272 (70%) | 1273 (70%) |
| Female | 539 (30%) | 541 (30%) |
| Age, years | ||
| <70 | 909 (50%) | 893 (49%) |
| ≥70 | 902 (50%) | 921 (51%) |
| Total cholesterol, mmol/L | ||
| <4·5 | 601 (33%) | 612 (34%) |
| ≥4·5 | 682 (38%) | 708 (39%) |
| Not measured | 528 (29%) | 494 (27%) |
| HDL cholesterol, mmol/L | ||
| <1 | 227 (13%) | 263 (14%) |
| ≥1 | 968 (53%) | 966 (53%) |
| Not measured | 616 (34%) | 585 (32%) |
| Systolic blood pressure, mm Hg | ||
| ≤140 | 1143 (63%) | 1156 (64%) |
| >140 | 668 (37%) | 658 (36%) |
| Medical history | ||
| Atrial fibrillation | 112 (6%) | 112 (6%) |
| Diabetes | 542 (30%) | 543 (30%) |
| Coronary artery disease | 659 (36%) | 642 (35%) |
| Renal impairment | 162 (9%) | 145 (8%) |
| Previous brain infarct (CT or MRI) | ||
| Yes | 355 (20%) | 310 (17%) |
| No | 1115 (62%) | 1137 (63%) |
| Not done | 341 (19%) | 367 (20%) |
| Previous carotid territory symptoms | ||
| Contralateral | 272 (15%) | 257 (14%) |
| Ipsilateral (not in preceding 6 months) | 129 (7%) | 106 (6%) |
| Contralateral carotid stenosis, % | ||
| <50 | 1102 (61%) | 1104 (61%) |
| 50–99 | 576 (32%) | 585 (32%) |
| 100 | 133 (7%) | 125 (7%) |
| Ipsilateral carotid stenosis, % | ||
| <70 (mean 61) | 60 (3%) | 58 (3%) |
| 70–79 (mean 72) | 631 (35%) | 630 (35%) |
| 80–89 (mean 81) | 702 (39%) | 706 (39%) |
| 90–99 (mean 91) | 418 (23%) | 420 (23%) |
| Ipsilateral plaque echolucency, % | ||
| <25 | 592 (33%) | 594 (33%) |
| ≥25 | 546 (30%) | 548 (30%) |
| Not estimated | 673 (37%) | 672 (37%) |
| Medication reported at entry | ||
| Antiplatelet | 1644 (91%) | 1624 (90%) |
| Anticoagulant | 148 (8%) | 158 (9%) |
| Antihypertensive | 1585 (88%) | 1580 (87%) |
| Lipid-lowering | 1530 (84%) | 1539 (85%) |
Data are n (%). CAS=carotid artery surgery. CEA=carotid endarterectomy.