Carotid disease in Serbia - pathologic dynamics, prevention, diagnostics and inovative therapeutic methods

Research relevance: Stroke is a leading cause of incapacity, both in our country and worldwide, with extreme impact on social services and health funds. Up to 60-80% of stroke patients suffer from atherosclerotic occlusive disease. There is a lack of understanding about possibility for prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic carotid disease. Project description: From January 2011 to December 2014 a total of 5000 patients with clinically significant vascular disease referred to Dedinje Cardiovascular Institute for evaluation and therapy will be included in the study. Follow-up will be based on existing database, with clinical an Duplex evaluation at at 1, 6 and 12 months, and yearly afterwards. Patients will be followed for ipsilateral stroke, TIA, neurological mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Blood samples for biomarkers will be drawn in all patients on admission, after 1 and 3 days postoperatively, and on disharge. Approximately 3100, 1050 and 150 patients will be included in the substudies on prevention, risk stratification and vascular remodeling, respectively. Expected results: Primary aim of this project is to establish a nation-wide follow-up data base for early and late results of both surgical and endovascular treatment of carotid disease. This should lower the incidence of fatal and major stroke in our population, and to reduce its devastating effect on the individual, its family and the society in general.