Role of vitamin D in cardiovascular disease is controversial. Here the investigators aimed to investigate the association of vitamin D deficiency and carotid plaque morphology as well as outcome of participants with high-grade carotid artery stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

332 consecutive participants undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, were prospectively included in the study, and vitamin D levels were determined prior to surgery using chemiluminescence-immunoassay.

Role of vitamin D in cardiovascular disease is controversial. Here the investigators aimed to investigate the association of vitamin D deficiency and carotid plaque morphology as well as outcome of participants with high-grade carotid artery stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

332 consecutive participants undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, were prospectively included in the study, and vitamin D levels were determined prior to surgery using chemiluminescence-immunoassay.

There is insufficient data on cardiovascular outcome in participants with CAS and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D would be an easily modifiable factor.

Primary goal was to investigate the influence of vitamin D levels on plaque vulnerability, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality in patients with carotid artery disease undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Carotid arteriostenosis
• Patient eligible for carotid artery surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Oncologic disease
• Patients with hemorrhagic, lacunar or cardioembolic stroke

Patients with carotid arteriosclerosis willing to perform surgery