North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET)

The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) was a major study that evaluated whether performing surgery to remove plaque from clogged carotid arteries reduces stroke risk in patients with symptoms. It showed that in certain patients, especially those with significant narrowing (70% or more), surgery can significantly decrease the chance of having a future stroke compared to medical treatment alone. The trial provided important guidelines for doctors to decide when carotid endarterectomy is beneficial, ultimately improving stroke prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.