[Atherothrombotic carotid disease: towards a consensus on its prevention].

This consensus document was one of the objectives of the I Meeting of the Spanish Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, the Spanish Interventional Neuroradiology Group of the Spanish Society of Neuroradiology, and the Cerebrovascular Disease Study Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology, which was held in October 2002 in Cordoba. Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease of true epidemic proportions. It is the first cause of death in developed countries and responsible for one quarter of documented deaths worldwide. Atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack and atherothrombotic origin symptomatic or asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease are all associated with a high risk of vascular death, myocardial infarction and recurrent stroke. In this context, vascular disease represents a serious public health problem, particularly if we take into account current forecasts on population ageing. The prevention of atherosclerosis - and its consequences, if its clinical manifestations are already apparent - is therefore a priority. This multidisciplinary consensus document draws on the different medical specialties dealing with these patients and combines efforts to obtain the greatest possible benefit as regards this disease's management. The consensus document makes a global analysis of atherosclerosis prevention, basically in terms of therapeutic objectives, lifestyle change measures, high bloodpressure management, dyslipidemia, other vascular risk factors and platelet antiaggregation. Emphasis is placed on the frequent coexistence of cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial involvement, and the methods of detecting silent involvement. Lastly, consensus is reached on the diagnostic methods and specific management of atherothrombotic carotid disease, including the benefits and risks of and indications for carotid endarterectomy, and the current role of carotid angioplasty.