Carotid endarterectomy for stroke prevention in older people

The efficacy of endarterectomy for patients with symptomatic high-grade ste nosis of the extracranial carotid artery has been firmly established. Those with asymptomatic carotid disease may also be candidates for the operation . A thorough understanding of the benefits and risks of the operation for t he individual patient is necessary in determining whether to recommend the operation.