Health,

New System Could Help Reduce Unnecessary Surgery to Prevent Strokes

Good News Post

Apr 21, 2025 — 1 min read

Image credit Kaboompics.com

By Health Correspondent

Researchers at UCL have tested a new scoring system to better assess stroke risk in patients with narrowed arteries caused by atherosclerosis. This tool could help avoid unnecessary surgeries and stent procedures.

Atherosclerosis is a common condition where arteries become clogged and hardened by plaque, including in the carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain. It can lead to strokes and heart attacks, especially in people over 65, smokers, or those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease. Around 20% of strokes are linked to carotid artery narrowing.

Currently, many patients have surgery or stents to reduce stroke risk. But these treatments can cause complications, including stroke during the procedure.

The new Carotid Artery Risk (CAR) score, developed by UCL and the University of Oxford, helps doctors decide who can be safely treated with medication and lifestyle changes instead.

This approach, known as optimised medical therapy, includes a healthy diet, cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering medication, anti-clotting drugs, and regular monitoring.

In a trial published in The Lancet Neurology, 428 patients from 30 centres in the UK, Europe, and Canada were assessed using the CAR score.

Patients at low to medium risk were treated with medical therapy, with or without surgery or stents. Those at high risk were recommended immediate procedures.

The study found that, over two years, patients who received medical therapy alone had low rates of stroke and heart attack. Surgery or stenting added no significant benefit and came with more risk.

Professor Martin Brown (UCL) said the CAR score can help tailor treatment to each patient and may reduce the need for surgery, saving money for healthcare systems.

Dr Louise Flanagan of the Stroke Association added that this method could spare many patients the risks of surgery while still effectively lowering stroke risk. She welcomed the results but said more research is needed to confirm the findings.

The study was funded by the NIHR, Stroke Association, Leeds Neurology Foundation, and research bodies in Switzerland and the Netherlands.

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