CREST Trial Mayo Clinic

CREST Trial Mayo Clinic

CREST Trial - Mayo Clinic

COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options

Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment

CREST Trial

Products and services Vivien Williams: Carotid artery disease increases your risk of stroke. Plaque builds up in the arteries in the neck, and if some breaks away, it could travel to your brain and cut off blood flow. But results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine give doctors the information they need to choose the best preventive procedures for their patients. It’s called the CREST Trial - Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial. What that means is researchers tested open surgery versus stenting of the carotid artery to see which procedure was best at opening blockages and preventing stroke. Findings show that open surgery and stenting are equally safe and effective at preventing stroke, except for people over the age of 80. Albert Hakaim, M.D.-Mayo Clinic vascular surgery: Based on the CREST Trial for patients who are older and the majority of vascular patients are older, carotid endarterectomy is superior to stentings. Vivien Williams: Dr. Albert Hakaim says, people over 80 who have stents placed to open blockages in their carotid arteries have a higher risk of stroke after treatment than those who had the open operation. But if you're younger, both procedures are equally beneficial. You see, blockages happen after years of plaque buildup on the artery walls. If a piece breaks off, it could flow to the brain and cut off blood supply, causing stroke. Here's a comparison of the two procedures. First, the standard operation. With the patient under general anesthesia, Dr. Hakaim makes an incision in the neck to expose the carotid artery which carries blood to the face and brain. Then he inserts a temporary shunt to reroute blood so they can work on the artery. Next, he opens the artery lengthwise, removes plaque, and closes the incision. Stenting is less invasive. With the patient having local anesthesia, Dr. Hakaim advances a catheter through the femoral artery in the leg up to the blockage. Just above it, he places a tiny umbrella shaped device to make sure that if the pieces of plaque break off they don't flow to the brain. Then he deploys the stent, which is pushed into place by a balloon. The stent opens the artery and crushes the plaque against the artery wall. Albert Hakaim, M.D.: So here's the common carotid artery. And this is where the artery branches, so this branch goes to the face. This was the narrowing. This is the stent before the angioplasty. Vivien Williams: Two procedures, both safe and effective at preventing stroke in the right groups of patients. The CREST Trial is important, because stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the number one cause of disability. Now doctors can be more certain that the procedures they do for their patients will reduce the risk of stroke. For Medical Edge, I'm Vivien Williams. ShareTweet Feb. 18, 2021

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info

Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . VID-20078203 Home CREST Trial

Mayo Clinic Footer

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

Advertising

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.Advertising and sponsorship policyAdvertising and sponsorship opportunities

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
Share:
0 comments

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

Minimum 10 characters required

* All fields are required. Comments are moderated before appearing.

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!