Carotid Stenting in Neuroradiology : A Short Journey from the Past to Current Debates

After a period of stagnation due to negative results of randomized trials for patients with symptomatic stenosis, the relevance of carotid artery stenting (CAS) is increasing again. CAS has become an important and evidence-based part of interventional stroke treatment. Our ability to manage acute recanalization of carotid occlusions and other niche indications properly led some skeptical neurologists to trust in carotid intervention for elective cases as well. The evolution of CAS from initial euphoria to more realistic views under consideration of trial results and guidelines is reviewed. Quality assurance in Germany proves that CAS complication rates within the carotid endarterectomy (CEA) quality criteria are feasible even with higher proportions of high-risk patients. Recent trial results showed that long-term efficacy of CAS or CEA are not significantly different. Other than in symptomatic stenoses, acute complication rates of both means treatment does not differ in asymptomatic patients, where medical therapy becomes increasingly competitive. Technical issues of CAS like the cell design of stents or the usefulness of embolic protection are still under discussion. We will see whether CAS results will further improve over time. Standardized techniques, proper training, and patient selection are important for acute and elective cases.