Carotid stents: is the gold standard ready for change?

Carotid artery stenting is emerging as an intervention for high-risk nonsurgical patients with high-grade symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. The purpose of this article is to inform advanced practice nurses about research findings related to carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting. This overview of carotid angioplasty and stenting includes complications and guidelines for preprocedural, periprocedural, and postprocedural care. Standards of practice for managing carotid artery disease are highlighted with emphasis on primary and secondary prevention.