Surgery is most effective in patients with recent TIA or minor stroke symptoms due to carotid stenosis.
Patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis are less likely to benefit from carotid intervention although research continues aiming to establish the best treatment options for these patients.
Risk animation showing risk with and without surgery in asymptomatic patients
| Day of operation | < 1 month | 1 month – 1 Year | 1 – 2 Years | 2 – 5 Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk of stroke without CEA | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 15 |
| Risk of stroke with CEA | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Number prevented in period | 0 | -3 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Cumulative number prevented | 0 | -3 | -1 | 1 | 7 |
Based on the animation above, which of the following statements are correct?
Correct statements
- The risk of stroke in the first month after surgery is 3%
- For every 100 operations about 7 would avoid a stroke in the next five years
Incorrect statements
- Surgery is more effective in patients without recent symptoms of TIA/stroke than in those with symptoms
- Surgery at least halves the risk of stroke over 2 years
- An individual has a 1 in 2 chance of benefit from surgery in first 2 years
Page last reviewed: 22 Apr 2022
