Pathophysiological Diagnosis and Appropriate Treatment for Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

  Carotid endarterectomy can effectively prevent the occurrence of stroke in patients with severe symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, and carotid artery stenting has been widely used as an alternative treatment.

  However, the current decision-making factors related to carotid artery stenosis are based on outdated clinical trials. Medical therapy has improved considerably in the past two decades, and this has reduced the incidence of stroke in both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis cases. Clinicians should consider the various clinical and pathophysiological variables to determine the appropriate treatment for patients with carotid stenosis.