Veith's Viewpoint: The Vascular Disease Paradox

Finally, it should be noted that a proposal to provide reimbursement for performing CAS on standard and low-risk carotid stenosis patients, including asymptomatic patients, is currently being considered by Medicare.

It is likely that some support for this proposal stems from the facts that lesions in such patients are easy to treat and the results of treatment are excellent. This is the vascular disease paradox which should be recognized and dealt with by all in the field.n

Dr. Veith is Professor of Surgery at New York University Medical Center and the Cleveland Clinic. He is an associate medical editor for Vascular Specialist.

The ideas and opinions expressed in Vascular Specialist do not necessarily reflect those of the Society or Publisher.