Cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in developed countries and a major cause of morbidity. Although hypertension and embolization from cardiac causes are major causes for stroke, between 17% and 24% of ischaemic strokes are due to carotid artery disease. The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) have both demonstrated clear benefits of carotid endarterectomy in patients with severe stenosis by the prevention of stroke. Trials are now evaluating carotid angioplasty and stenting as an alternative to surgery.