Study cohort and surgical details
During the study period 386 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 364 (94.3%) males and 22 (5.7%) females. The median age was 73 years (IQR, 67-78). Demographic data, comorbidities and risk factors of the entire cohort are reported in Table 1 : the median SVS score risk was 9 (IQR, 8-11). Single stage CEA and isolated coronary-artery bypass graft was performed in 243 (63%) cases, CEA and isolated valve surgery in 40 (10.4%); CEA with a combination of coronary-artery bypass and valve surgery was performed in 103 (26.7%) cases. Carotid endarterectomy was performed with shunting in 56 (14.5%) cases, and patch closure was carried out in 197 (51%). Overall, the median clamping time was 29 minutes (IQR, 23-37).