The use of clopidogrel in carotid endarterectomy: an audit of current practice.

Clopidogrel is commonly encountered in patients presenting for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Its use around this time is controversial and there is no randomized control trial data to determine best practice. Questionnaires were posted to all members of the Vascular Society investigating clopidogrel use at the time of CEA. 52% discontinue clopidogrel preoperatively, with 51% of those using no alternative and 49% replacing it with aspirin. Clopidogrel use is not related to the number of endarterectomies performed by each surgeon. There is no consensus on clopidogrel use during CEA. This highlights the need for quality prospective data on this subject.