title: Carotid stenosis--when is revascularization appropriate?
abstract: Approximately 15% of ischemic strokes are caused by extracranial carotid stenoses. Revascularization of a symptomatic stenosis is very efficacious in carefully selected patients. This review outlines criteria which help to identify those who will benefit most from carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic stenosis. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is a common condition in the general population over 50 years, but nonetheless associated with a low risk of ischemic stroke. Consequently, the therapeutic yield of CEA is much lower in asymptomatic stenosis and women seem not to benefit at all. In the future, specific morphological MRI features may help to identify stenoses prone to become symptomatic. In addition to their significance for stroke, it has been demonstrated that atherosclerotic lesions can be regarded as an indicator of cardiovascular morbidity which may help to identify high-risk patients for cardiovascular events.
authors.affiliation: Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany. hans-christian.koennecke@vivantes.de
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Koennecke
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003376:Counseling; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018579:Patient Selection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome