Endarterectomy for 50% or More Stenosis Without Symptoms

For some people, the benefits of endarterectomy may not outweigh the risks. This is the case for people who have 50% to 69% carotid stenosis (narrowing) but no symptoms. (Symptoms include a previous TIA or mild stroke.)

Endarterectomy might be recommended for people who have more than 70% carotid stenosis and whose risk of a serious problem is less than 3%. But it is not clear that endarterectomy will lower their risk of a stroke more than medicines and lifestyle changes will.^{footnote 1}