Carotid Vascular Disease
Stroke is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke is an obstruction of blood flow to a part of the brain that results in that part of the brain dying. Symptoms of a stroke include weakness, loss of control, or numbness in an extremity, visual disturbances, or difficultly with speech. Stroke symptoms that resolve within one day are called "transient ischemic attacks," or TIAs (frequently also referred to as "mini-strokes").
Following a TIA, there is a very high risk of a completed stroke within the next year. Strokes most frequently, however, occur suddenly with no warning symptoms.
About one in four strokes are the result of significant cholesterol plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) in the carotid arteries. Patients with other atherosclerotic disease are frequently screened for carotid artery disease.
Often, physical examination findings suggest the presence of carotid artery disease. Screening for carotid artery disease is quite simple and painless. An ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries takes about 20 minutes and can usually be completed at the time of an office visit.
Treatment of carotid artery disease begins with risk factor management including smoking cessation, blood pressure control, treatment of diabetes, and cholesterol lowering. Medical therapy most often involves blood thinners.
Carotid surgery may be performed to remove the cholesterol plaque. More recently, a less invasive option has become available in the form of carotid stents. This procedure has been shown to have similar results to surgery in selected patients.
