Improved Medication and Care to Achieve Lipid Targets After Carotid Surgery

Cardiovascular risk factors are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Improving these often fails due to the lack of low-threshold access to specialized medical care. Especially in vascular surgery departments with multimorbid patients, optimizing the management of risk factors-particularly cholesterol-is essential.

This exploratory randomized controlled pilot study aims to investigate the effects of pharmacological optimization of cholesterol management after carotid surgery with subsequent follow-up visits. For this purpose, 50 patients who are undergoing carotid surgery due to carotid stenosis will be randomized into two groups. In Group 1, 25 patients who have not reached the lipid target at the time of surgery will be included and re-evaluated regarding their therapy after 2 months and undergo another ambulatory cholesterol check after 4 months. In Group 2, 25 patients who also have not reached the lipid target at the time of surgery will be included and, after optimization of therapy during the hospital stay, will undergo an ambulatory cholesterol check after 4 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Age >17 years
• Diagnosed carotid artery stenosis
• Planned carotid endarterectomy
• LDL cholesterol >55 mg/dL
• Willingness to participate, documented by written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Ongoing treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors
• Carotid surgery for reasons other than stenosis (e.g., traumatic injury)