Carotid imaging 1.2.3 Everyone with TIA who after specialist assessment is considered as a candidate for carotid endarterectomy should have urgent carotid Urgent carotid endarterectomy 1.2.4 Ensure that people with stable neurological symptoms from acute non- disabling stroke or TIA who have symptomatic carotid stenosis of 50% to 99% according to the NASCET (North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial) criteria: are assessed and referred urgently for carotid endarterectomy to a service following current national standards (see the NHS England and NHS Improvement National Stroke Service Model) receive best medical treatment (control of blood pressure, antiplatelet agents, cholesterol lowering through diet and drugs, lifestyle advice). [2008, amended 1.2.5 Ensure that people with stable neurological symptoms from acute non- disabling stroke or TIA who have symptomatic carotid stenosis of less than 50% according to the NASCET criteria, or less than 70% according 2022 to the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) criteria: do not have surgery receive best medical treatment (control of blood pressure, antiplatelet agents, cholesterol lowering through diet and drugs, lifestyle advice). [2008] 1.2.6 Ensure that carotid imaging reports clearly state which criteria (ECST or NASCET) were used when measuring the extent of carotid stenosis. 1.3 Specialist care for people with acute stroke Specialist stroke units 1.3.1 Admit everyone with suspected stroke directly to a specialist acute stroke unit after initial assessment, from either the community, the emergency department, or outpatient clinics. (An acute stroke unit is a discrete area in the hospital that is staffed by a specialist stroke multidisciplinary team. It has access to equipment for monitoring and rehabilitating patients. Regular multidisciplinary team meetings occur for goal setting.). 