Surgical Risks in Carotid Stenosis
03/04/2010 |
Question:
What are the risk numbers for a stroke with a 50% and 69% carotid blockage, if one follows a protocol of aspirin, statins (medication) and diet versus a vascular surgical intervention in a 60 year old woman? Her father had many TIA incidents. Incidentally, her echo stress test was normal.
Answer:
If she is asymptomatic, then the risk of stroke is lower with medical than with surgical (or endovascular) intervention, and would NOT be recommended. She should be followed every 6 mos. with a carotid duplex.
For more information:
Go to the Vascular Surgery health topic.