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Carotid Artery Disease Treatment

Carotid artery disease occurs when fat deposits clog the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head (carotid arteries). The blockage increases your risk of stroke which occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts, causing the brain nerve cells to die. Once the brain cells die from a lack of oxygen, the part of the body that section of the brain controls is affected through paralysis, language, motor skills, or vision.

At the first sign of a stroke, call 911 as it's a medical emergency.

TREATMENT

Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis
Using x-ray guidance, a catheter is inserted through a nick in the skin at the groin and advances through the femoral artery in the leg all the way to the tiny arteries in the brain where they place the clot-busting drug directly on the clot or to break up the clot mechanically.

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FAQ

What are the symptoms? Expand

The most common symptoms of a stroke are:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, and/or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech.
  • Sudden trouble seeing, including double vision, blurred vision, or partial blindness, in one or both eyes.
  • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination.
  • Sudden severe, headache with no known cause.

If you experience any of these symptoms, even if they go away quickly, seek immediate emergency help.

What are the risk factors? Expand

The risk factors include:

  • Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol all increase the risk of stroke
  • High blood pressure puts pressure on the arteries, making them more susceptible to rupture and more prone to clot formation, which can block the artery
  • High cholesterol can lead to blockage in the carotid artery that takes blood from the neck to the brain. A piece of this plaque can break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke
  • Untreated atrial fibrillation causes the heart’s upper chamber to beat irregularly, which allows the blood pool and clot. If a clot breaks off and enters the bloodstream to the brain, a stroke will occur
  • Family history
  • Smoking
How do I know if I'm at risk? Expand

To determine if you are at risk of a stroke or carotid artery disease, you can have the following exams:

Physical examination - Your doctor may be able to assess your risk for stroke during a routine physical examination. If your physician suspects that you may be at high risk, he or she will ask if you have experienced symptoms such as numbness or muscle weakness, speech or vision difficulties, or lightheadedness.

Ultrasound -  To determine whether there is a blockage in the arteries that carry blood to the brain, some physicians recommend ultrasound screening for those who have been diagnosed with atherosclerosis or other risk factors for carotid artery disease.

Computed tomography (CT) - CT uses computers to generate detailed pictures of the brain and can confirm the diagnosis of stroke and tell whether the stroke is caused by a hemorrhage in the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - This is performed to identify and further localize the site of the stroke and find the source. It may be able to quickly identify the area deprived of sufficient blood flow and guide further therapy.

Angiography. An angiogram is an X-ray in which a contrast agent, or a dye, is injected into a vein to highlight the blood vessels. With this exam, radiologists can pinpoint the exact location of blockage or bleeding in the brain.

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