Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Yet, according to the National Stroke Association, up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Johns Hopkins vascular surgeon Mahmoud Malas, M.D., has been working with other experts across the nation to improve stroke prevention efforts for those most at risk.

Most strokes occur when blood flow to a portion of the brain is blocked. One place this often happens is in the carotid artery. The Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis (CREST-2) study looks at people who have narrowing of the carotid artery, but no other stroke symptoms. Researchers offer these patients extensive medical treatment to help control their risk factors for stroke. “Over the last decade, we have seen remarkable advancements in the medical management, surgery and minimally invasive stenting to treat carotid artery narrowing,” explains Dr. Malas. “The purpose of CREST-2 is to identify the most effective approach in preventing stroke.”

Call 410-550-1355 or visit crest2trial.org to fi nd out more and enroll.