Is anti-platelet therapy always necessary in asymptomatic 30-40% carotid stenosis?
Asymptomatic mild carotid artery stenosis is relatively frequent and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Its recognition is clinically relevant for appropriate prevention strategies. These include a healthy lifestyle approach and a careful pharmacologic control of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. Furthermore, interventions able to reduce the risk of atherothrombotic events, such as antiplatelet drugs, should be considered. Noninvasive imaging of carotid artery plaque and stenosis severity and morphology may add relevant information for the risk stratification of these subjects.
aCardiology Division, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia bNon Invasive Cardiology, Parma University Hospital, Parma cCardiology Division, Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.
Pompilio
P
Faggiano
Nicola
N
Gaibazzi
Giacomo
G
Faden
Federica
F
Guidetti
D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors