Authors' objectives:

The aim of this report is to summarize the available information on the use of cerebral protection (or distal embolic protection) devices to reduce the risk of procedure-related stroke and death in patients with severe carotid artery occlusive disease who are undergoing carotid angioplasty with stenting.

Authors' recommendations: In high-risk patients who have severe coronary artery occlusive disease, the evidence suggests that carotid artery stenting with cerebral protection may offer an effective alternative to endarterectomy. Clinicians may soon face the need to modify their practice in response to patients' awareness of, and preference for, this minimally invasive option. It may no longer be appropriate to manage patients who are unable to undergo surgery with drug therapy only. The anticipated increased demand for this procedure could have a significant impact on the health care system. Potential long-term savings through the prevention of stroke, along with associated treatment and rehabilitation cost, may initially be overshadowed by the need to revise budgets and reallocate resources to cover increased procedural costs. In addition, the number of specialists performing carotic artery stenting in a particular health region may no longer be high enough to handle patient volumes. Hospitals may also need to reorganize their angiography suite schedules to accommodate carotid artery stenting procedures.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2005

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)