Stroke prevention-surgical and interventional approaches to carotid stenosis.

Extracranial carotidartery stenosis is an important cause of stroke that often needs treatment with carotid revascularization. To prevent stroke recurrence, carotid endarterectomy has been well-established for many years in treating symptomatic high- and moderate-grade stenosis. Carotid stenting is an appealing, less invasive alternative to carotid endarterectomy, and several recent trials have compared the efficacy of the 2 procedures in patients with carotid stenosis. Carotid artery stenting has emerged as an important mode of therapy for high-risk patients with symtomatic high-grade stenosis. This review focuses on the current data available that will enable the clinician to decide optimal treatment strategies for patients with carotid stenosis.