Carotid Artery Stenting Versus Endarterectomy for Treatment of Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

METHODS We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register and the following databases: CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Embase, and Science Citation Index (all last searched August 2018). We also searched ongoing trials registers, reference lists, and contacted researchers in the field. All randomized clinical trials comparing CAS with CEA for symptomatic or asymptomatic atherosclerotic carotid stenosis were included. One review author selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality and risk of bias, and extracted data by using Cochrane and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group) methodology. A second review author independently validated trial selection and a third review author independently validated data extraction. We calculated treatment effects as odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI, with CEA as the reference group. We quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. MAIN RESULTS