[Success of carotid endarterectomy dependent on type of atherosclerotic plaque and gender, among others]

Abstract

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with a high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Surgery, however, is less beneficial for women than for men. Besides gender, other factors, like degree ofstenosis and plaque morphology, influence the risk of stroke and the beneficial effect of CEA. A recent study shows that women, asymptomatic women in particular, have more stable atherosclerotic carotid plaques than men. Increasing knowledge regarding local plaque characteristics should be carried through to clinical practice. Further studies, especially prospective studies, are needed to identify subgroups of patients that will benefit most from CEA. Low surgical morbidity and mortality remain a prerequisite to perform CEA in symptomatic carotid stenosis and even more so in asymptomatic carotid stenosis.