Surgical intervention among asymptomatic patients aged ≥80 with a contralateral carotid occlusion appears selectively warranted.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The role of prophylactic carotid revascularization in asymptomatic patients aged ≥80 remains controversial. Current guidelines stipulate that asymptomatic older patients at "higher risk of stroke" on best medical therapy may still benefit from carotid intervention. Specifically, there is a widespread perception that a contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion may confer an increased anatomical stroke risk, thus creating a surgical dilemma, particularly among older patients. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether asymptomatic patients aged ≥80 years derive a stroke or survival benefit from prophylactic carotid revascularization in the setting of a contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion.

Methods

We analyzed asymptomatic patients wi

SUBMITTER: Eid MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12450360 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature