Periprocedural complication rates are equivalent between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid angioplasty and stenting.

Patients with neurologic symptoms who undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) have a higher incidence of stroke and death in the perioperative period than those with asymptomatic carotid disease. This study examines the outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid stenting (CAS). From 2002 to 2006, 201 CAS procedures were performed in 193 patients (117 men, mean age 73 +/- 10 years), of whom 142 were for asymptomatic (AS) and 59 for symptomatic (S) disease.