Abstract
About 200.000 people suffer form a ischemic caused stroke per year in germany. 20 % of these are caused by stenosis of the extracranial brain serving vessels, especially the internal carotid artery. Given the clinical severity of the stroke and the socio-economic outcome prevention and therapy of carotid caused strokes is highly relevant. Therapeutic or preventive options are carotid endarterectomy (CEA), carotid artery stenting (CAS) and medical treatment. Among these options the carotid endarterectomy has been proven to be significant superior against the best medical treatment. The CAS procedure is often seen as a rival to the CEA surgery.
Comparing these three options is reasonable and necessary. Therefore this article is aiming to provide a evidence based overview, considering the current data, for a differentiated indication on the therapie of relevant extracranial carotid stenosis.
