Imaging of carotid artery disease. Conventional angiography.

Conventional angiography has lost its preeminence as a screening tool for extracranial carotid artery disease. Similarly, conventional angiography may be at the crossroads for its use as a presurgical planning study for carotid endarterectomy. This article discusses angiographic techniques and atherosclerotic carotid artery disease involving the carotid bifurcation. Special emphasis is placed in discussing the role of angiography in the recent large prospective trials evaluating endarterectomy for carotid artery disease.