Immediate carotid endarterectomy reduced non-perioperative stroke in severe asymptomatic carotid artery stenosisPrevention of disabling and fatal strokes by successful carotid endarterectomy in patients without recent neurological symptoms: randomised controlled trial.

Menken, Matthew MD (commentator)
Halliday, A
Mansfield, A
Marro, J
et al,

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

Halliday A, Mansfield A, Marro J, et al. Prevention of disabling and fatal strokes by successful carotid endarterectomy in patients without recent neurological symptoms: randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004; 363: 1491–502.HallidayAMansfieldAMarroJet alPrevention of disabling and fatal strokes by successful carotid endarterectomy in patients without recent neurological symptoms: randomised controlled trial.Lancet20043631491-502Q In patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent (≤6 mo) stroke or ischaemia, is immediate carotid endarterectomy (CEA) more effective than indefinite deferral of any CEA for reducing perioperative mortality and morbidity and incidence of non-perioperative stroke?

For correspondence: Dr A Halliday, ACST Office, St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK. [email protected]

Sources of funding: UK Medical Research Council and The Stroke Association.

Evidence Based Medicine 9(5):p 145, September-October 2004.

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★★★ Internal medicine ★★★★★★★ Cardiology ★★★★★★★ Geriatrics ★★★★★★★ Neurology ★★★★★★☆