Carotid endarterectomy: emerging indications.

Several randomized trials have recently reported on the benefit of carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. A positive benefit has been found for symptomatic patients with > or = 70% stenosis measured by angiogram with a particular formula and performed with high surgical skill. Symptomatic patients with < 70% stenosis continue to be randomized and followed. The answer for this group is expected in the next two years. The randomized trials of asymptomatic patients have not established the benefit for carotid endarterectomy clearly. The most recent trial shows the absolute risk reduction at 5 years is only 5.9% or less than 1.5% risk reduction per year. A fifth trial continues in Europe.