Carotid stenosis--when is revascularization appropriate?

Approximately 15% of ischemic strokes are caused by extracranial carotid stenoses. Revascularization of a symptomatic stenosis is very efficacious in carefully selected patients. This review outlines criteria which help to identify those who will benefit most from carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic stenosis. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is a common condition in the general population over 50 years, but nonetheless associated with a low risk of ischemic stroke. Consequently, the therapeutic yield of CEA is much lower in asymptomatic stenosis and women seem not to benefit at all. In the future, specific morphological MRI features may help to identify stenoses prone to become symptomatic. In addition to their significance for stroke, it has been demonstrated that atherosclerotic lesions can be regarded as an indicator of cardiovascular morbidity which may help to identify high-risk patients for cardiovascular events.