LOS ANGELES — Results from 10 years' follow-up in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST) trial comparing carotid stenting and endarterectomy show low postprocedural rates of stroke (less than 0.7% annually) and other events in both groups, with no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The primary composite endpoint (stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the periprocedural period or any subsequent ipsilateral stroke) and the primary long-term endpoint (postprocedural ipsilateral stroke) were not significantly different between the stent or surgery group at 10 years. However, the risk for periprocedural stroke or death and subsequent ipsilateral stroke was still significantly higher in the stenting group, driven by the greater number of periprocedural strokes following stenting. Presenting the 10-year results here at the International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2016, Thomas G. Brott, MD, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, described carotid stenting as "just about as good as surgery," with the current results showing both options were "safe and durable." http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/859112
