[Treating carotid stenosis without surgical trauma. How safe is stenting?]

Because of the reduced stress on the patient, the obviation of surgical trauma and the need for anesthesia, and only brief hospitalization, stent angioplasty is an attractive alternative to surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis. The data so far available suggest that the results may be expected to equal those obtained with surgery in terms of success rate and complications. The establishment of the indication for this procedure is oriented to the indication for thromboendarterectomy, with certain patient groups possibly benefitting from endoluminal treatment. However, until data from controlled studies become available, stenting of the carotid artery should be limited to scientific studies and be registered with appropriate professional associations.