Abstract 2652: Carotid Revascularization Provides Similar Outcomes in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients with <70 Years

Absolute stroke risk and perioperative stroke risk during carotid revascularization are higher in patients with symptomatic than in those with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Age is one of the main risk factors for stroke and trials have shown a significant age interaction after carotid stenting (CAS). This study aims to analyze the effect of age on outcomes of carotid revascularization using the 70-year threshold as suggested by CREST. Methods: From 2001 to 2010 patients receiving carotid revascularization, either by CAS or by endarterectomy (CEA) were reviewed. Perioperative stroke-death rates and 72-month survival and late stroke incidence were compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with less and more than 70years. Results: 2196 procedures, 1080 by CAS 1116 by CEA, were reviewed;684 were performed for carotid referable symptoms. Symptomatic patients showed higher perioperative stroke/death risks (3.5% vs 1.9%, p=0.034) and lower 72-months survival (74% vs 82%, p=0.0001) or freedom from late stroke (93% vs 97%, p=0.002) than asymptomatic patients with similar differences detected within CEA or CAS procedure. When only the group of 949 youngsters (≤70y) was analyzed, symptomatic and asymptomatic patients shared similar low perioperative stroke/death risks: 2.1% vs 1.3%, p=0.39. For young symptomatic patients, perioperative stroke/death risk was comparably low in CAS and CEA: 1.8% vs 1.2%. At 72 months, survival (98% vs 97%, p=0.49) and freedom from stroke (89% vs 89%, p=0.33) rates were similarly high in symptomatic and asymptomatic young patients. Comparable risks between the symptomatic and asymptomatic youngsters were found after each CAS (perioperative stroke/death: p=0.64; survival: p=0.10; late stroke: p=0.50) and CEA (perioperative stroke/death: p=0.49; survival: p=0.91; late stroke: p=0.64) procedure. Higher perioperative and late risks were confirmed for symptomatic patients in the elderly (>70y) subgroup (n=1247) regardless of the procedure. Conclusions: Outcomes following carotid revascularization are related to patient age. For younger ages (≤70years) symptomatic and asymptomatic patients may share similarly low perioperative and late risks of stroke and death after carotid revascularization whichever the procedure applied.