Carotid endarterectomy has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients, particularly patients age 80 or older. Carotid stenting may be a viable option for such patients who are ineligible for carotid endarterectomy. Both traditional carotid endarterectomy and this research procedure using carotid angioplasty carry risks that include bleeding at the site of the procedure, possible slight or even major stroke, or death. It is not yet known if these risks are less or greater with the research procedure compared to carotid endarterectomy. Potential benefits of the procedure include rapid recovery and reduced costs.
Patients are awake throughout the procedure and most require only a twenty-four hour hospital stay.
Carotid artery disease is believed to be responsible for sixty percent of strokes annually. This research procedure may enable doctors to intervene and prevent or reduce the number of strokes caused by carotid artery disease. The patient mix of the WAH study consisted of 34 patients over the age of 80 and 105 patients below the age of 80. While not examined by the study, the authors hypothesize that the successful outcomes were supported by intensive therapy prior to treatment to reduce a patient's risk of stroke. But it is noteworthy that in our study the age group over 80 has done as well as the younger patients.