TEA in Comparison to PTA in Carotid Artery Stenosis

In the beginning of the century a new percutaneous metod has evolved in treatment of carotid artery stenosis as an alternative to the carotid endarterectomy. First trials showed promis­ing results and inspired the »percutaneous enthusiasts« even more. During the last years many trials comparing these two methods have been completed. Findings were controversial and the most important, they were all missing results over a longer period. These are now becom­ing more abundant, therefore soon it will be possible to make new conclusions, abstract guide­lines in treatment of carotid artery ocludive disease etc. In this article we reviewed mostly meta-analyses and review articles addressing this issue. We can conclude that the described two methods are equally efficient, but also that the carotid endarterectomy still remains first-line treatment, mainly because of lower incidence of stroke and death in 30 days after procedure. Both methods have different characteristics, which we think, can be used in favor of the patients.