Carotid artery stenting: where are we now?
Carotid artery disease is a frequent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Carotid endarterectomy was considered to be the standard treatment for high graded stenosis until carotid artery stenting (CAS) developed with promising results in early series and randomized trials. At present, stenting is supported in patients at high risk for surgery. Randomized trials analyzing low risk patient groups and studying the long-term results of CAS are necessary and partly underway. Although randomized trials are not yet available, current evidence suggests that cerebral protection devices reduce the number of neurological events. This review discusses the results of randomized trials and clinical series.
Rabe
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K
CardioVascular Center Frankfurt, Sankt Katharinen, Seckbacher Landstrasse 65, 60389 Frankfurt, Germany. kasja.rabe@gmx.de
Sievert
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H
D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents