Carotid endarterectomy compared with angioplasty and stenting: the status of the debate.
Endarterectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Recently, debate has arisen over the potential benefits of endovascular techniques. Although retrospective analyses of angioplasty and stenting procedures suggest comparable clinical efficacy to endarterectomy, prospective evaluation is pending. The authors review the status of the debate and discuss those issues on both sides that are particularly contentious and clinically relevant.
Albuquerque
F C
FC
Department of Neurological Surgery, Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Teitelbaum
G P
GP
Larsen
D W
DW
Giannotta
S L
SL