Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Stenting: An International Perspective

Abstract

To the Editor: With interest we read the comment of Hobson et al entitled “Carotid Artery Stenting and the Recruitment Challenges in a clinical trial.”1 Although we completely share the concerns of the authors regarding slow recruitment into the CREST Trial, constantly growing use of carotid stenting in symptomatic patients outside of protocols, and the lack of evidence in this area, we cannot agree with the perception that it is mostly up to CREST to solve the problems. The authors mention shortly that larger clinical trials “are currently underway in North America and Europe.” With reference 10 they cite the CAVATAS trial that finished recruitment long ago. They state that “recruitment into these trials will also be slow and the data may not be available for the next 2 to 3 years.” As the principal investigators of 3 European Trials, we would …