SummaryBackgroundIf carotid artery narrowing remains asymptomatic (ie, has caused no recent stroke or other neurological symptoms), successful carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces stroke incidence for some years. We assessed the long-term effects of successful CEA.MethodsBetween 1993 and 2003, 3120 asymptomatic patients from 126 centres in 30 countries were allocated equally, by blinded minimised randomisation, to immediate CEA (median delay 1 month, IQR 0·3–2·5) or to indefinite deferral of any carotid procedure, and were followed up until death or for a median among survivors of 9 years (IQR 6–11). The primary outcomes were perioperative mortality and morbidity (death or stroke within 30 days) and non-perioperative stroke. Kaplan-Meier percentages and logrank p values are from intention-to-treat analyses. This study is registered, number ISRCTN26156392.Findings1560 patients were allocated immediate CEA versus 1560 allocated deferral of any carotid procedure. The proportions operated on while still asymptomatic were 89·7% versus 4·8% at 1 year (and 92·1% vs 16·5% at 5 years). Perioperative risk of stroke or death within 30 days was 3·0% (95% CI 2·4–3·9; 26 non-disabling strokes plus 34 disabling or fatal perioperative events in 1979 CEAs). Excluding perioperative events and non-stroke mortality, stroke risks (immediate vs deferred CEA) were 4·1% versus 10·0% at 5 years (gain 5·9%, 95% CI 4·0–7·8) and 10·8% versus 16·9% at 10 years (gain 6·1%, 2·7–9·4); ratio of stroke incidence rates 0·54, 95% CI 0·43–0·68, p<0·0001. 62 versus 104 had a disabling or fatal stroke, and 37 versus 84 others had a non-disabling stroke. Combining perioperative events and strokes, net risks were 6·9% versus 10·9% at 5 years (gain 4·1%, 2·0–6·2) and 13·4% versus 17·9% at 10 years (gain 4·6%, 1·2–7·9). Medication was similar in both groups; throughout the study, most were on antithrombotic and antihypertensive therapy. Net benefits were significant both for those on lipid-lowering therapy and for those not, and both for men and for women up to 75 years of age at entry (although not for older patients).InterpretationSuccessful CEA for asymptomatic patients younger than 75 years of age reduces 10-year stroke risks. Half this reduction is in disabling or fatal strokes. Net benefit in future patients will depend on their risks from unoperated carotid lesions (which will be reduced by medication), on future surgical risks (which might differ from those in trials), and on whether life expectancy exceeds 10 years.FundingUK Medical Research Council, BUPA Foundation, Stroke Association.
Utilising telepractice videoconferencing technology to offer home visitation services has the potential to provide access and parenting support through a high-tech and high-touch service delivery option. Families can receive evidence-based, family support intervention from their home via videoconferencing technology, removing the need for the provider to be physically in the home. While the expansion of telehealth and telepractice services for families is essential for meeting the needs of both parents and their children, well-documented engagement barriers to digital health/ computer-mediated interventions exist across treatment modalities and technology platforms. Semi-structured interviews with 15 providers were conducted and analysed to identify engagement strategies utilised to sustain families in a home visitation model offered through live videoconferencing technology on a telehealth platform. Analysis revealed four themes that were deemed essential for successfully attracting and maintaining families in a telepractice-based home visitation programme: (a) engagement strategies to encourage families to participate; (b) clinical skills used within sessions; (c) articulation of benefits to the family; and (d) exploration of rationale forending services. This study was able to identify strategies for engagement and sustained involvement of families in telehealth-based home visitation. Findings include evidence that providers should be able to move between telehealth and on-ground service provision with relative ease.
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