Levin SR, et al. - Researchers examined patients without baseline stroke-related impairment who had undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and experienced an early postoperative stroke, for the degree of initial disability. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program CEA-targeted database, they identified 8797 patients with CEA and preoperative modified Rankin scale scores (mRS: used to assess the degree of initial disability from stroke) of not applicable(NA: in the absence of any stroke)/0 to 1. Observations revealed a low rate of stroke after CEA. However, among patients who experienced a stroke, some degree of initial postoperative disability was reported for almost two-thirds of patients within 30 days postoperatively and initial moderately severe to severe disability was reported for one-third of patients. Findings thereby may help improving informed consent and risk-benefit discussions with patients.