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Intensive Medical Therapy for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

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Abstract

The majority of carotid revascularization procedures are done in patients without recent symptoms of cerebral ischemia (asymptomatic carotid stenosis). In previous studies from the past two decades, the stroke risk associated with asymptomatic carotid stenosis has been estimated to be 2–2.5% per year. Given the relatively benign nature of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, it has been proposed that confining revascularization to a limited, higher-risk subgroup is a sensible strategy. Evidence is accumulating that improved medical therapy has led to a lower risk of stroke in medically treated patients and that ultrasound methods can identify higher-risk patients. These developments are highlighted in this article.

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Abbreviations

ACST:

Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial

NASCET:

North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial

OXVASC:

Oxford Vascular Study

SPACE-2:

Stent-protected Angioplasty in Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Versus Endarterectomy

SPARCL:

Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels

VACS:

Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study

References

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Disclosure

Conflicts of Interest

P. Bhattacharya: none; S. Chaturvedi works with Abbott Vascular and is an executive committee member for ACT, CAPTURE 2, and PROTECT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology & Stroke Program, Wayne State University, 8C-UHC, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Pratik Bhattacharya & Seemant Chaturvedi

Authors
  1. Pratik Bhattacharya
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  2. Seemant Chaturvedi
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Correspondence to Seemant Chaturvedi.

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Bhattacharya, P., Chaturvedi, S. Intensive Medical Therapy for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis. Curr Cardiol Rep 13, 18–23 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-010-0143-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-010-0143-4

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