[Diagnosis and conservative treatment of carotid artery stenosis].
Carotid artery stenosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke, with prevalence increasing with age and vascular risk factors. Targeted diagnosis in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease and high-risk populations, combined with consistent conservative management, is essential to significantly reduce stroke risk. This article reviews current diagnostic strategies, including duplex ultrasound as the cornerstone of non-invasive assessment, and discusses pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches. Medical therapy-including antiplatelet therapy, statins, and vascular risk factor control-is crucial across all stenosis stages and may suffice even in some cases traditionally considered for revascularization. Current research focuses on individualized therapy guided by risk stratification to identify patients for whom conservative management alone provides optimal stroke prevention. Interdisciplinary decision-making is essential to tailor treatment strategies.