Why do guidelines recommend screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms, but not for asymptomatic carotid stenosis? A plea for a randomized controlled trial

•Patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis are at high risk of future stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular death.•Selective screening for asymptomatic carotid stenosis should be considered to reduce cardiovascular events.•Early identification of patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis would enable timely initiation of preventive measures.