Inclusion |
Asymptomatic stenosis >80% or symptomatic stenosis >50% by angiography or ultrasonography and at least one of the following conditions that would result in high surgical risk: |
Age >80 years |
Congestive heart failure (class III/IV) and/or left ventricular ejection fraction <30% |
Open heart surgery needed within 6 weeks |
Recent myocardial infarction (>24 hours and <4 weeks) |
Unstable angina (CCS class III/IV) |
Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
Contralateral carotid occlusion |
Contralateral laryngeal nerve palsy |
Severe tandem lesions |
Lesions distal or proximal to the usual location |
Previous endarterectomy with restenosis |
Previous radiation therapy or radical neck surgery |
Exclusion |
Acute ischemic neurologic event within past 48 hours |
Total occlusion of the target carotid artery |
Surgical or interventional procedure planned within the next 30 days |
Common carotid ostial lesion |