Information for the public
What has NICE said?
Transcervical extracorporeal reverse flow neuroprotection for reducing the risk of stroke during carotid artery stenting works well enough for use in the NHS, but there are well-known risks associated with this procedure.
What does this mean for me?
Your health professional should fully explain what is involved in having this procedure, and discuss the possible benefits and risks with you. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. All of this should happen before you decide whether you want to have this procedure or not.
A healthcare team that includes an interventional radiologist or neuroradiologist, a vascular surgeon and a doctor with a special interest in stroke should decide which patients should be offered this procedure. The procedure should only be done by doctors who have specific training in the techniques used and regularly do similar procedures.
In an emergency, healthcare professionals may give treatment immediately, without obtaining your informed consent, when it is in your best interests.