Introduction
The carotid arteries are the two main arteries on either side of the neck. They supply blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis, is the narrowing or blockage of one or both carotid arteries. Carotid artery disease increases your risk for a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is an episode in which a waxy, fatty substance that accumulates within the artery (plaque) blocks blood flow to the brain. A TIA is considered a "warning stroke."
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by:
Buildup of plaque inside the carotid arteries (atherosclerosis) (common).
A weakened outpouching in an artery (aneurysm).
Inflammation of the carotid artery (arteritis).
A fibrous growth within
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Decreased blood flow due to spasms of the carotid artery (vasospasm).
Separation of the walls of the carotid artery (carotid dissection).
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
High cholesterol (dyslipidemia).
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Smoking.
Obesity.
Diabetes.
Family history of cardiovascular disease.
Inactivity or lack of regular exercise.
Being male. Men have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis earlier in life than women.
What are the signs or symptoms?
There are no symptoms of this condition.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed by:
A physical exam. Your health care provider may hear an abnormal sound (bruit) when listening to the carotid arteries.
Specific tests that look at the blood flow in the carotid arteries. These tests include:
Carotid artery ultrasonography.
Carotid or cerebral angiography.
Computerized tomographic angiography (CTA).
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
How is this
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Adjusting your diet.
Surgery. You may have:
A carotid endarterectomy. This is a surgery to remove the blockages in the carotid arteries.
A carotid angioplasty with stenting. This is a nonsurgical interventional procedure. A wire mesh (stent) is used to widen the blocked carotid arteries.
Follow these instructions at home:
Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider. Make sure you understand all your medicine instructions. Do not stop your medicines without talking to your health care provider.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Stay physically active. It is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of activity every day.
Do not use any tobacco products including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or electronic cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
Limit alcohol use to:
No more than 2 drinks per day for men.
No more than 1 drink per day for nonpregnant women.
Do not use illegal drugs.
Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider.
Eating and
When an artery in the brain is block (ie; TIA) open collateral vessels can allow blood to
Coronary Artery Disease, also known as CAD, is the most common form of heart disease. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Coronary Artery Disease obstructs the blood flow in vessels that provides blood to the heart which is caused by the buildup of plaque on the artery walls. (Rogers, 2011, p.87) (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Plaque is a yellow substance that consists of fat substances, like cholesterol, and narrows or clogs the arteries which prevents blood flow. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009) Plaque can build up in any artery but usually favors large and medium sized arteries. (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2009)
A surgeon removes blood vessels from other part of your body, which are then used to reroute the blood flow around the clogged blood vessel. This is a more invasive surgery that requires longer recovery time.
Cerebrovascular accidents, or strokes, will lead to brain damage that affects the functioning of executive function, memory, language, visuospatial performance and emotional states. Corresponding vertebral arteries and carotid arteries provide blood to the brain from the heart that the carotid arteries are internal and external sections of the thyroid cartilage. Where the optic nerve rests the internal artery distributes into the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The vertebral arteries arise through the spinal vertebrae and meet the lower pons to form the basilar artery. The brain receives 15% to 20% of the oxygenated blood from the heart and can only endure fleeting interruptions of blood flow before neural operations
Cerebral Carotid ultrasound, this creates a detailed image of the interior of the carotid artier, which will show the buildup of fatty plaque the patient may have ("Diagnosis - Stroke - Mayo Clinic," 2015). Cerebral Angiogram, is a procedure in which a tube is inserted through the groin and dye is injected so the vessels become visible through X-ray image that will show the vessels in the brain and the neck. Echocardiogram is the sound waved the heart makes from the heart to the brain, this will show a blood clot that causes a stroke ("Diagnosis - Stroke - Mayo Clinic," 2015). The physician will also order some blood work to be done, they will look at blood clotting, sugar absorbency, any possible imbalances and any possible infections ("Diagnosis - Stroke - Mayo Clinic,"
an artery in the neck. Once the catheter is in place, the needle is removed and a
This type of procedure is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting under the supervision of a certified Interventional Radiologist. Commonly performed procedures can include the treatment of varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, IVC filter placement, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), etc. This type of modern imaging has greatly decreased the amount of invasive surgeries as well as limits the cost for patients. With this procedure, imaging such as x-ray, CT, or ultrasound are used to guide the doctor through minor incisions into the body.
angioplasty. It is a procedure where a stent is placed in the artery through the groin and restores
Pulmonary embolectomy. Rarely used, this is surgery done to remove a PE. It is done only in severe cases when the PE is very large, the patient can not get anticoagulation and/or thrombolytic therapy due to other medical problems or the patient has not responded well to those treatments, or their condition is
Aneurysm Embolization is done in Interventional Radiology, by an Interventional Neuroradiologist. The radiologist uses guide wires, known as catheters to locate the aneurysm. Through the catheter a small coil can be placed into the aneurysm. With these coils the body will develop blood clots around them which prevent blood from entering the aneurysm. This eliminates the risk of rupturing aneurysms. There are many different types of stents that can be used for aneurysm embolization. Many of these stents depend on the type of aneurysm. A stent that’s commonly used is the Solitaire AB Stent. This stent is used for the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms in the brain as well as small intracranial aneurysms. Another type of embolization device that’s used is pipeline; this device is used for dissecting cerebral aneurysms.
1. Angioplasty: Kereiakes and Wetherill write that “angioplasty is a procedure in which a heart doctor inserts a balloon catheter over a thin wire across an artery. The balloon is inflated and compresses the plaque to clear the arteries of any blockage.”(p. 106-107).
Echocardiographic examination revealed diastolic relaxation delay with an ejection fraction of 67%. Cerebral MR angiography demonstrated 85-90% stenosis at the proximal part of the basilar artery and 40-50% stenosis at the cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed, which revealed stenoses in the distal segments of the bilateral internal carotid arteries, V4 segments of the bilateral vertebral arteries and at the junction of basilar artery, which were more prominent on the right side (Figure 2).
Involvement of the carotid and vertebral arteries leads to neurologic and ophthalmologic symptoms, including dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, syncope, stroke, and visual disturbances. Atrophy of facial muscles and jaw claudication are mostly late manifestations. Occlusions of the brachiocephalic and subclavian arteries impair blood flow to the upper extremities, presenting as arm claudication, pulselessness, and discrepant blood pressures. The detection of bruits can be helpful in making the diagnosis 6.
Vessel disease. It is an invasive and high risky procedure including a small risk of coro
Cardiac catheterization a long flexible thin tube place in blood vessel in arm, groin, or neck looks in coronary arteries. Dye can be added to see how well the heart is pumping.