Comparative outcomes of surgical and conservative management in carotid artery dissection

Objectives Carotid artery dissection (CAD) is a significant cause of strokes in young individuals, leading to severe complications and socioeconomic burdens. Despite antithrombotic therapy being the primary management strategy, optimal treatment for patients with recurrent or worsening symptoms remains undefined. This study aims to describe the characteristics and evaluate the outcomes of conservative versus surgical management in CAD patients. Methods A total of 23 patients presenting with CAD from November 2014 to December 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient demographics, vascular risk factors, symptoms, imaging results, treatment details, and follow-up information were collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to enhance comparability. Results The mean age of the patients was 46.4 ± 9.4 years, with a median follow-up of 12 (range 3–90) months. Of the 23 patients reviewed, seven underwent endovascular treatment or open surgery due to unresponsiveness to conservative therapy, while 16 received conservative management. All patients showed regression of symptoms. Surgical patients showed a significant improvement with a 100% patency rate during the follow-up. PS matching adjusted for baseline differences, yielding comparable groups for analysis. No significant difference between treatment approaches was observed in stroke recurrence rates, although surgical intervention showed promising outcomes in symptom resolution and stroke prevention. Conclusion Both conservative and surgical management of CAD can lead to favorable outcomes. While conservative therapy remains the initial approach and proves effective, surgery appears beneficial and safe in certain cases unresponsive to conservative treatment. Further investigation through larger prospective and randomized trials is necessary to establish its safety and efficacy.