Abstract
Rationale
Carotid endarterectomy and medical therapy (aspirin) were shown superior to medical therapy alone for asymptomatic (⩾60%) carotid stenosis. The role of modern medical therapy (statins, antihypertensive treatment, and aspirin) in the treatment of such patients is undefined. Establishing the safety, efficacy, and durability of optimal medical therapy and lifestyle modification requires rigorous comparison with carotid endarterectomy in asymptomatic patients.
Aims
The objective is to compare the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy + optimal medical therapy versus optimal medical therapy alone in patients with asymptomatic (70–79%) extracranial carotid stenosis.
Design
The Aggressive Medical Treatment Evaluation for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis study is a prospective, randomized, parallel, two-arm, multicenter trial. Primary end-points will be analyzed using standard time-to-event statistical modeling with adjustment for major baseline covariates. The primary analysis is on an intent-to-treat basis.
Study Outcomes
The primary outcome is nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and death during follow-up of up to five-years, and the secondary outcome includes death from any cause and stroke.
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