The International Carotid Stenting Study: Extension of Recruitment

Institution:
The National Hospital, Queen Square, London
Principal Investigator:
Professor Martin Brown on behalf of the International Carotid Stenting Study Trial Steering Committee
Region: London
Grant value: £63,000 over 36 months
Start date: January 2008
Status: ongoing

Narrowing of the main artery to the brain (carotid artery) with fatty deposits (stenosis) is an important cause of stroke for which the standard treatment is surgery to remove the blockage (carotid endarterectomy). A more recent alternative treatment is to place a stent in the artery to hold it open.

Since 2001 the research team have been running the International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS), to compare the risks and benefits of carotid stenting with carotid endarterectomy. However, some patients included in the ICSS have been treated by consultants being trained in stenting under the supervision of experts.

The steering committee of ICSS met in July 2007 and decided that, in view of contradictory data from other recently declared trials of stenting, the trial should extend recruitment by another 180 patients, to follow a more accurate measure of the safety of stenting compared to surgery performed by fully trained consultants.

Classification:
Prevention, Surgical Treatment