Fear and loathing in a post-CREST-2 world

Medical editor Malachi Sheahan III, MD, reflects on the release of the CREST-2 results and considers what they may mean for clinical practice. As you likely know, the long-awaited CREST-2 trial results were recently released. While panic and jubilation erupt…
CREST-2: Landmark trial finds benefit from carotid stenting

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded CREST-2 study has found that, for people with high-grade asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis who have not experienced recent stroke symptoms, a carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure—combined with intensive medical therapy—significantly lowered stroke and death…
‘Historical’ CREST-2 data show reduced stroke risk with carotid stenting versus medical therapy alone

The international CREST-2 study has found that, for people with severe carotid artery narrowing who have not experienced recent stroke symptoms, a minimally invasive carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure—combined with intensive medical therapy—significantly lowered stroke risk compared with medical therapy…
Debate verdict: Carotid endarterectomy maintains its golden hue

The established “gold-standard” approach to carotid revascularization remained enshrined as the go-to operation as far as a 2025 Charing Cross (CX) International Symposium audience was concerned. Some 76% of those who voted in the post-debate poll sided with Barbara Rantner,…
Data and discussion forefront carotid session at ‘pivotal moment’

Contemporary management of carotid disease after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) carotid artery stenting (CAS) decision memo and prior to CREST-2 results will be the focus of an Education Session at VAM 2024. In October, CMS released…
Carotid stenting rebuttal: Those who live in glass houses…

Christopher J. White, MD, responds to a recent editorial by Malachi Sheahan III, MD, that took a critical look at the decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand coverage for carotid artery stenting (CAS). I’m…
SVS members rally to respond to CMS carotid stenting coverage proposal

Nearly one-third of the public comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a controversial proposed coverage decision affecting carotid stenting were from SVS members. “We could not have been more pleased with our members’ response…
SVS responds to CMS proposed coverage expansion for carotid stenting

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and its affiliated Patient Safety Organization (PSO)/Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) have submitted a formal response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding its proposed national coverage determination on percutaneous transluminal angioplasty…
Research indicates low stroke risk and benefit of medication alone in asymptomatic carotid stenosis

The risk of having a future stroke caused by asymptomatic carotid stenosis is “so low” that most patients with this condition could potentially be treated with the newest medications and may not require surgery. That is according to new research from Kaiser…
Increased market competition linked to higher odds of revascularization among asymptomatic patients with moderate carotid stenosis

A vascular surgery research team with a growing reputation for its work investigating appropriateness in care in the peripheral vascular bed recently uncovered an association between increased regional market competition among proceduralists and higher odds of revascularization being carried out…

