The following is taken from the Texas Heart Institute web site: CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE Carotid artery disease affects the vessels leading to the head and brain (cerebrovascular disease). Like the heart, the brain's cells need a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. This blood supply is delivered to the brain by the 2 large carotid arteries in the front of your neck and by 2 smaller vertebral arteries at the back of your neck. The right and left vertebral arteries come together at the base of the brain to form what is called the basilar artery. A stroke most often occurs when the carotid arteries become blocked and the brain does not get enough oxygen. Carotid artery disease increases the risk for stroke in 3 ways:
Who is at risk for carotid artery disease and stroke? Each year, over 960,000 people in the United States die from heart disease or stroke. Most people who have strokes are over age 65, and more men than women have strokes. Stroke is the number 3 killer in the United States, and a leading disabler of older Americans. If you have carotid artery disease, you probably also have severe coronary artery disease or have a parent who died from coronary artery disease. So, the risk factors for carotid artery disease are similar to those for coronary artery disease:
What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease? Although there are no symptoms specific to carotid artery disease, the warning signs of a stroke are a good way to tell if there is a blockage in the carotid arteries. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are one of the most important warning signs that you may soon have a stroke. Sometimes called "mini-strokes," TIAs are temporary episodes of headache, dizziness, tingling, numbness, blurred vision, confusion, or paralysis that can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. See a doctor right away if you or someone you know has the symptoms of a TIA. Other signs or symptoms of a carotid artery blockage may be
How is carotid artery disease diagnosed? In most cases, doctors can tell if you have the disease during a normal checkup. Your doctor may ask if you have had symptoms of a stroke (muscle weakness or numbness, lightheadedness, or trouble talking or seeing). By placing a stethoscope over the carotid artery in your neck, your doctor can listen for a rushing sound, called a bruit (pronounced "brew-ee"). But, the results of this test can be misleading. Bruit sounds may not always be present, even when carotid artery disease is severe. Also, bruit sounds are sometimes heard when blockages are only minor. Other diagnostic tools include
How is carotid artery disease treated? In addition to treating atherosclerosis or other underlying disorders, lifestyle changes, medicines, transcatheter interventions, or surgery may be needed to offset the effects of carotid artery disease and lower the risk of stroke. Lifestyle Changes Treatment for carotid artery disease includes lifestyle changes. The National Stroke Association recommends that you
Medicines Medicines that stop the blood from clotting (called anticoagulants) may be needed to prevent stroke. Anticoagulant medicines and aspirin have been shown to lessen the risk of stroke. In most cases, patients will need to take these anticoagulants for the rest of their lives. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a clot-dissolving medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). T-PA is considered a major breakthrough in the treatment of stroke caused by blood clots (ischemic stroke), which make up 80% of all strokes. For the medicine to work, it must be started within 3 hours of the start of stroke symptoms. T-PA only works if it is given right away. Transcatheter Interventions Carotid angioplasty involves using a balloon catheter to flatten plaque blockages against the artery wall, opening the passageway. A small, metal tube-like device called a stent is then placed in the artery to keep it open. Although initial studies are promising, the FDA hasn't yet approved the balloon angioplasty device for use in carotid arteries. More research will help doctors find out if this procedure is safe and effective. Surgery Carotid endarterectomy removes fatty plaque from neck arteries. While the patient is under anesthesia, surgeons make an incision in the neck, at the location of the blockage. A tube is inserted above and below the blockage to reroute blood flow. Surgeons can then open up the carotid artery and remove the plaque. Once the artery is stitched closed, the tube is removed. A carotid endarterectomy can also be done by a technique that does not require blood flow to be rerouted. In this procedure, the surgeon stops the blood flow just long enough to peel the blockage away from the artery. Please visit or page on carotid endarterectomy with an illustrated descripiton of the procedure to learn more about it. Surgical Associates of Texas, P.A., the surgical team at the Texas Heart Institute, have more experience than any other cardiovascular surgical group in the world, having performed approximately 100,000 open heart surgeries of all types and degrees of complexity and over 800 heart transplants. Many of our patients have had successful operations and recovery when previously led to believe no further treatment options were possible. If you are interested in learning more about any of these procedures, please visit our pages on Surgical Procedures for detailed illustrated descriptions. Diseases & Conditions | Surgical Procedures | Links | What's New Home | Location | Site Map | About Our Surgeons | Milestones Contact Us | Appointments & Administration © 2000
Surgical Associates of Texas
|
