Carotid artery stenosis—an evidence-based review of surgical and non-surgical treatments

Carotid artery disease underlies a significant proportion of ischaemic strokes. Whilst secondary prevention by drug treatment is the first step in managing patients with known carotid stenoses, evidence from a number of large randomised controlled trials have clearly demonstrated a benefit for surgical treatment in symptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis. In asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis a benefit is conferred by surgery in selected patients. Carotid endarterectomy has formed the mainstay of surgical treatment. Endovascular angioplasty (with/without stenting) for carotid stenoses has been proposed as a viable or even superior alternative to carotid endarterectomy. The results from four large randomised controlled trials comparing the two modalities, considered together suggest a marginally better outcome for carotid endarterectomy compared with angioplasty in terms of perioperative mortality and stroke, though the results of further studies are awaited. For carotid surgery, a multi-centre randomised controlled trial evaluating the use of local anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia demonstrated no significant difference in outcome. Refinements in surgical technique such as patch angioplasty and intraluminal shunting provide equivocal benefit, with wide variation in their usage and in the results of studies evaluating them. More robust evidence supporting or refuting a benefit for these techniques is required.