Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
https://www.jvascbras.org/article/doi/10.1590/S1677-54492012000100008
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
Review Article

Stratifying risk: asymptomatic carotid disease

Rafael D. Malgor; Emily A. Wood; Otavio A. Iavarone; Nicos Labropoulos

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Abstract

Stroke generates significant healthcare expenses and it is also a social and economic burden. The carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque instability is responsible for a third of all embolic strokes. The degree of stenosis has been deliberately used to justify carotid artery interventions in thousands of patients worldwide. However, the annual risk of stroke in asymptomatic carotid artery disease is low. Plaque morphology and its kinetics have gained ground to explain cerebrovascular and retinal embolic events. This review provides the readers with an insightful and critical analysis of the risk stratification of asymptomatic carotid artery disease in order to assist in selecting potential candidates for a carotid intervention.

Keywords

carotid artery diseases, risk, natural history

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