Stroke is the second largest cause of death worldwide, responsible for over six million deaths each year. A common cause of stroke is carotid artery disease, which can be treated in one of two ways: carotid artery surgery; or having a stent fitted, with a view to improving blood flow to the brain. Until recently, it has been unclear which of these procedures results in better overall patient outcomes.

To answer this question, researchers at Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford have coordinated the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial 2 (ACST-2), the largest trial to date comparing the outcomes of the 2 procedures.

In this talk, research fellow and consultant vascular surgeon Richard Bulbulia will discuss the findings of the ACST-2 trial and whether patient factors favour one approach over another when treating those at risk of a stroke.