Asymptomatic carotid disease: A review of carotid stenting versus carotid endarterectomy

Carotid artery disease remains a prevalent problem in society today and while medical therapy is the foundation for treatment, certain circumstances require additional surgical or interventional approaches to reduce the future risk of developing a stroke. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid angioplasty stenting (CAS) has been shown to be beneficial in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis, manifested by either a stroke or transient ischemic attack. Additionally, CEA has been shown to be beneficial in asymptomatic patients with a high-grade stenosis, however the role of CAS in asymptomatic patients has yet to be defined. This review will examine the current literature as it pertains to our understanding of carotid treatment for asymptomatic disease.