Ipsilateral occlusive or embolizing carotid artery stenoses are found in 20-30% of all cases of ischemic stroke. Several randomized studies revealed endarterectomy to be the gold standard in the therapy of severe symptomatic (NASCET, ESCT) and to some extent of asymptomatic carotid stenoses (ACAS, ACST). Stent angioplasty has been established as an alternative therapeutic option although non-inferiority of this procedure has not yet been proven. We provide an overview of both procedures as well of the state of current trials.