Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stent placement for symptomatic extracranial carotid stenosis is adequate to support the use of this procedure provided that normal arrangements are in place for clinical governance and audit or research.
During the consent process, clinicians should ensure that patients understand the risk of stroke and other complications associated with this procedure. Clinicians should also ensure that patients understand the reasons for advising carotid artery stent placement rather than endarterectomy in their particular case.
Patient selection should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team, which should include an interventional radiologist or a neuroradiologist, a vascular surgeon and a physician with a specialist interest in stroke.
This procedure should only be carried out by clinicians with specific training and expertise in the technique who regularly perform complex endovascular interventions. The Royal College of Radiologists has produced training standards.