Surgery vs Stent for a Narrowed Neck Artery After a Stroke or Mini-Stroke
For people with: Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
About this trial
If you have had a stroke or mini-stroke caused by a narrowed artery in your neck, this trial is comparing two ways to treat it. One is an operation to clean out the artery, and the other is a stent (a small tube placed inside the artery to hold it open). We want to find out which gives better long-term results.
What would I need to do?
You will be randomly assigned to either the operation or the stent procedure. Both are done in hospital under anaesthetic. Afterwards you will have regular follow-up appointments — at 1 month, 6 months, and then once a year — to check the artery with an ultrasound scan and make sure you are recovering well.
After your procedure, a specialist will check you before you leave hospital. You will return at 1 month for a clinic visit and ultrasound scan of your neck artery. At 6 months and 12 months you will have further scans and clinic reviews. After that, you will have one visit per year for 5 years. Some visits include a short memory and thinking test.
Could I take part?
You may be eligible if you have recently had a stroke or mini-stroke and a scan has shown a significant narrowing in one of the main arteries in your neck (the carotid artery). Your stroke or vascular team will discuss whether this trial is right for you.
Age range: 40 years and over
What are the risks and benefits?
Both treatments greatly reduce the risk of further stroke from the narrowed artery. The operation has a long track record and is very effective, but involves a cut in the neck and carries a small risk of nerve injury or wound complications. The stent procedure is less invasive but carries a small risk of stroke during the procedure. Both carry small risks of bleeding and infection. By taking part, you will receive expert care and help answer an important question about stroke prevention.
Common questions
Interested in taking part?
Contact the research team to find out more about this trial and whether it might be right for you.
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