ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of carotid endarterectomy.MethodThe literatures about carotid artery stenosis in the past 30 years were screened through literature retrieval, and the study of surgical risk factors related to carotid artery stenosis were reviewed.ResultsThere were many risk factors associated with the carotid endarterectomy, including demographic, underlying disease, surgical factors, perioperative management, and so on. However, the risk factors analysis were not comprehensive enough in the current study, so there was still lack of effective methods to predict the surgical risk of carotid artery stenosis.ConclusionTo fully understand the risk factors of carotid endarterectomy and to establish a multi-factor prediction model is the direction of further research.