Racial variations in the rates of carotid angiography and endarterectomy in patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack.

Abstract

Socioeconomic status and access to care within a large managed health care system do not fully explain racial differences in the rate of carotid angiography and endarterectomy. Either referral bias for evaluation for carotid endarterectomy or racial differences in the extent and location of cerebrovascular disease are more important explanations for the observed racial variations.