title: ESVS guidelines. Invasive treatment for carotid stenosis: indications, techniques.
abstract: The European Society for Vascular Surgery brought together a group of experts in the field of carotid artery disease to produce updated guidelines for the invasive treatment of carotid disease. The recommendations were rated according to the level of evidence. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is recommended in symptomatic patients with >50% stenosis if the perioperative stroke/death rate is <6% [A], preferably within 2 weeks of the patient's last symptoms [A]. CEA is also recommended in asymptomatic men <75 years old with 70-99% stenosis if the perioperative stroke/death risk is <3% [A]. The benefit from CEA in asymptomatic women is significantly less than in men [A]. CEA should therefore be considered only in younger, fit women [A]. Carotid patch angioplasty is preferable to primary closure [A]. Aspirin at a dose of 75-325 mg daily and statins should be given before, during and following CEA. [A] Carotid artery stenting (CAS) should be performed only in high-risk for CEA patients, in high-volume centres with documented low peri-operative stroke and death rates or inside a randomized controlled trial [C]. CAS should be performed under dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel [A]. Carotid protection devices are probably of benefit [C].
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece. liapis@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Liapis
authors.forename: P R F
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sivenius
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolaides
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandes e Fernandes
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biasi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norgren
mesh_terms: D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000601:surgery; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control; D018579:Patient Selection; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012955:Societies, Medical; D015607:Stents; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors