New Study Challenges the Status Quo.. Non-Surgical Treatment May Be Sufficient

A recent study conducted in Europe and Canada is prompting a reconsideration of the traditional approach to treating carotid artery stenosis—a condition long associated with surgical intervention as a primary preventive measure against strokes.

Researchers found that a significant number of patients may not need such procedures, thanks to notable advancements in the effectiveness of modern medications.

As part of the study, 429 patients with more than 50% narrowing of the carotid artery underwent a systematic comparison between two treatment strategies: one involving surgery or stent placement, and the other relying solely on prescribed medications.

Strikingly, after two years, the rates of stroke, death, or heart attacks did not differ significantly between the two groups, supporting the idea that medication alone may be sufficient in many cases.

This shift in medical perspective is particularly important given that surgical procedures, while beneficial, can sometimes lead to serious complications—including triggering a stroke.

This comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of artery-clearing surgeries are performed annually, especially in the United States, where over 100,000 such procedures are carried out each year.

Dr. Paul Nederkoorn, one of the study’s lead researchers, noted that initial data suggest nearly three-quarters of patients may only need medication to prevent strokes. He added that the research team will continue monitoring patients for an additional three years to further validate the findings.

This study raises new questions within the medical community about the necessity of every surgical procedure and calls for a comprehensive review of current practices in light of today’s therapeutic advancements.