Comparing the Use of Diagnostic Imaging and Receipt of Carotid Endarterectomy in Elderly Black and White Stroke Patients

Previous studies show that black patients undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) less frequently than white patients. Diagnostic imaging is necessary to determine whether a patient is a candidate for the operation. We determined whether there were differences in the use of diagnostic carotid imaging and the frequency of CEA between elderly black and white ischemic stroke patients.Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with discharge diagnoses of...