Carotid artery stenosis

Patients should be followed up annually after the postoperative visits associated with revascularization. In some countries, annual surveillance is not recommended. Clinical evaluation should include assessment for development of new transient ischemic attack or stroke-like symptoms, which might require referral to a neurologist for confirmation of the diagnosis. Testing might include noninvasive duplex ultrasound exam to identify potential recurrent stenosis or the development of stenosis in the contralateral carotid artery. Patients placed on pharmacologic management and who have not had revascularization might also be followed annually for possible disease progression in the form of increasing degrees of stenosis.