Role of the Type of Carotid Stent and Cerebral Protection on Cerebral Microembolization During Carotid Artery Stenting. A Randomized Study Comparing Carotid Wallstent vs Roadsaver® Stent and Distal vs Proximal Protection.

Inclusion Criteria: significant, unilateral carotid artery stenosis with soft plaque defined as: * symptomatic patients: \> 1.3 m/sec peak systolic velocity and \> 50% diameter stenosis by Doppler ultrasound and \< 60 hounsfield unit by CT angiography * asymptomatic patients \> 2.5 m/sec peak systolic velocity and \> 70% diameter stenosis by Doppler ultrasound and \< 60 hounsfield unit by CT angiography Exclusion Criteria: * severe cerebral vasculopathy with cognitive impairment * contraindication to double antiplatelet treatment * controlateral carotid occlusion