Carotid-Artery Stenting — Case Open or Closed?

Abstract

As compared with carotid endarterectomy, carotid-artery stenting has uncertain efficacy and safety in patients at risk for stroke from atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery. The benefits of carotid endarterectomy for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients have been established in several randomized trials comparing surgery with medical therapy. The benefits of surgery in reducing the long-term risk of stroke need to be weighed against the immediate risk of death or stroke as a complication of the surgery. For symptomatic patients with stenosis of the internal carotid artery of 70% or more, carotid endarterectomy is superior to medical therapy alone, . . .