PROximal Protection VErsus NON-Protection in Carotid Artery Stenting

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female ≥ 18 years old; * Suitable/Eligible for carotid artery revascularization; * Significant artery stenosis in symptomatic patients defined as ≥ 50% of the artery diameter (%DS) or asymptomatic ≥ 80 %DS by angiography. Symptomatic is defined as a carotid artery stenosis associated with ipsilateral transient ischemic attack (TIA), amaurosis fugax, ischemic stroke or retinal infarction within 6 months prior to enrollment. * Adequate clinical conditions to perform DW-MRI. * Ability of the individual to understand the character and the consequences of clinical trial. * Signed and dated informed consent provided before the beginning of any intervention. * Negative pregnancy test (serum or urine) and contraception use for any woman of childbearing age. Systematic contraceptives (oral, implant, injection) and dia-phragm or condoms with spermicidal are considered reliable. Women who have undergone bilateral oophorectomy or/and hysterectomy or women status post-menopausal for at least two years are eligible for this trial. Exclusion Criteria: * Intracranial hemorrhage, hemorrhagic stroke, or stroke with mass effect demonstrated on CT scan or MRI within 30 days of the index procedure. * Persisting ischemic stroke (defined as either a score \> 15 on the NIH stroke scale, a Rankin score \> 3 or a Barthel score \< 60 measured within one week prior to study entry). * Intracranial mass lesion (i.e., abscess, tumor, or other infection). * peripheral vascular, supra-aortic or internal carotid artery tortuosity precluding the use of catheter-based techniques required for successful results. * Lactation. * Arterio-venous malformation in the territory of the target carotid artery. * Any disease or medication that affects local hemostasis, * Participation in other clinical trials during the present clinical trial or within the last month. * Medical or psychological condition that would not permit completion of the trial or signing of informed consent.