Carotid artery interventions - endarterectomy versus stenting

Abstract

Current management of patients with carotid artery stenosis is based on well-established guidelines, including surgical procedures − carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and endovascular carotid artery stenting (CAS) − and optimal medical treatment alone. Outcomes in the postprocedural period after CAS and CEA are similar, suggesting strong clinical durability for both treatments. Recent advances, which include the emergence of novel endovascular treatment tools and techniques, combined with more recent randomised trial data shed new light on optimal patient selection and treatment in contemporary practice. Improved, modern technologies including enhanced embolic protection devices and dual-layered micromesh stents yield better outcomes and should result in further improvements in CAS. In centres of excellence, nowadays, the majority of patients with severe carotid artery stenosis can be successfully treated with either CEA or CAS.