[Carotid endarterectomy for atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis]

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated carotid endarterectomy (CEA) to be more beneficial for the prevention of recurrent or first-ever ischemic stroke than treatment with antiplatelet agents in patients with moderate-severe stenosis of the cervical internal carotid artery. CEA is the standard treatment for such lesions; however, other RCTs have demonstrated carotid artery stenting (CAS) with a protective device to be comparable to CEA in patients with or without radiological or medical high-risks for CEA, although the selection criteria among these treatments have not yet been established in clinical practice. This review compares the results of RCTs valuating the superiority of CEA over medical treatment or CAS, preoperative examination, procedures of CEA, perioperative management and complications, long-term results, and indications for CEA based on the currently available evidence-based publications. A preoperative evaluation of the patients'medical condition, including atherosclerosis, is therefore important to minimize the perioperative complications of CEA, because myocardial infarction during the perioperative period is frequently observed in patients undergoing CEA. A through radiological examination such as plaque imaging is essential for selecting appropriate treatment strategies involving revascularization or medical treatment for atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis. In addition, the surgical indications, particularly for asymptomatic lesions, should be carefully considered in light of the recent improvements in medical treatments including antihypertensive agents and statins.