Role of carotid endarterectomy in asymptomatic carotid stenosis. A Veterans Administration Cooperative Study.

A multi-centered cooperative study is being undertaken to determine the role of carotid endarterectomy in the treatment of asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The primary objective is to compare the incidence of transient ischemic attacks, stroke, and death in previously asymptomatic patients with arteriographically confirmed internal carotid stenoses (greater than or equal to 50%) randomly allocated to carotid endarterectomy and aspirin therapy versus aspirin therapy alone. Ten Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMC) in the United States are participating. The study will be conducted over a period of eight years. The first three years will be devoted to acquiring and randomizing patients, after which all patients will be followed clinically for a minimum of five years. It is anticipated that approximately 500 patients will be recruited into the study.