[Surgical treatment of extracranial carotid stenosis].
Invasive treatment of carotid stenosis is directed towards the prevention of ischemic stroke. Contemporary guidelines, based on the best available evidence, recommend carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis of 50-99%. Revascularization should ideally be performed within 48 hours to 14 days following the index ischemic event. In asymptomatic patients, intervention is indicated in the presence of clinical or morphological markers associated with an increased risk of carotid stenosis-related stroke. Carotid artery stenting represents a complementary alternative to endarterectomy, particularly in patients at high surgical risk. Given that several recommendations are based on expert opinion rather than high-level evidence, interdisciplinary decision-making plays a crucial role. Patients with limited life expectancy should not undergo invasive treatment; all patients with carotid artery disease should receive optimal medical therapy.