25/11/13 Patient information: Carotid artery disease (The Basics)

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Patient information: Carotid artery disease (The Basics)
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
What is carotid artery disease? Carotid artery disease is a condition that can increase a persons risk of
having a stroke. The condition does not usually cause symptoms. It happens when fatty deposits called plaque
build up inside 2 blood vessels called the carotid arteries. These are the main blood vessels that bring blood to the
brain. When plaque forms in these arteries, the arteries can become narrow (figure 1).
What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease? Carotid artery disease does not usually cause
symptoms. But it can cause strokes and TIAs (described below):
Strokes A stroke is when a part of the brain dies because it goes without blood and oxygen for too long.
Carotid artery disease can lead to strokes, because blood clots can form inside the narrowed artery. Then
the clots and other material from the fatty plaque can travel to the brain and clog smaller arteries.
Some people recover from strokes without lasting effects or with only minor problems. But many people have
serious problems after a stroke. After a stroke, some people are:
Unable to speak or understand speech
Paralyzed on one half of their body
Unable to dress, feed, or take care of themselves
TIAs TIA stands for transient ischemic attack. TIAs are basically strokes that last only a short time. But
they do not cause brain damage. TIAs happen when a blood vessel in the brain gets clogged briefly and then
reopens. People who have TIAs can have the symptoms of a stroke, but the symptoms go away in a short
time. People who have TIAs are at very high risk of having a full-blown stroke.
Is there a test for carotid artery disease? Yes. Doctors can listen to each carotid artery with a stethoscope.
They do this to check for a swishing sound that occurs when the artery is partly blocked. But to be sure, doctors
also can use one of the following tests, which create pictures of the arteries:
Carotid duplex ultrasound This test uses sound waves to create pictures.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) This test uses a magnet to create pictures. It works the same
way that MRI tests work. Before having MRA, most people get an injection of a chemical that makes the
arteries show up more clearly.
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) This test uses a special kind of x-ray called a CT scan.
Before having the scan, people get an injection of a chemical that makes the arteries show up more clearly.
There is another test that doctors sometimes use, called a cerebral angiogram. But that is not usually necessary.
How is carotid artery disease treated? Treatments for carotid artery disease focus mostly on preventing
stroke. Treatments can include:
Lifestyle changes People can reduce their risk of stroke by:

25/11/13 Patient information: Carotid artery disease (The Basics)

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Quitting smoking if they smoke
Being active
Losing weight if they are overweight
Eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol and high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods
Medicines Different people need different medicines to reduce their chances of having a stroke. In general,
the medicines that can help prevent strokes include:
Medicines to lower blood pressure
Medicines called statins, which lower cholesterol
Medicines to prevent blood clots, such as aspirin
Surgery Doctors can do surgery to remove plaque from the carotid arteries (figure 2). This is called
carotid endarterectomy. This treatment is most appropriate for people who have had a TIA or stroke and
who have a lot of plaque in their carotid arteries. It is also appropriate for some people who have not had a
stroke or TIA but who have a lot of plaque in their carotid arteries.
Carotid stenting Carotid stenting is when doctors insert a tiny metal tube called a stent into the carotid
artery. The stent is designed to prop open narrowed arteries. This treatment seems to be more dangerous
than surgery, especially for people age 70 or older. It is not appropriate for most people.
Which treatment is right for me? The right treatment for you will depend on:
Whether you have already had a stroke or TIA that seemed to be caused by your carotid artery disease
How much of your carotid artery is blocked off by plaque
How old you are
Whether you are a man or a woman
Whether you have other health problems besides carotid artery disease
If your doctor suggests surgery or stenting, ask these questions:
What are the chances that I will have a stroke in the next 5 years if I DO NOT have this procedure?
What are the chances that I will have a stroke in the next 5 years if I DO have this procedure?
What are the risks of the procedure?
Does the surgeon who will do the procedure have a lot of experience?
More on this topic
Patient information: Stroke (The Basics)
Patient information: High blood pressure in adults (The Basics)
Patient information: High cholesterol (The Basics)
Patient information: Doppler ultrasound (The Basics)
Patient information: Vagal maneuvers and their responses (The Basics)
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 25, 2013.
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diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care
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Topic 15819 Version 2.0
25/11/13 Patient information: Carotid artery disease (The Basics)
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GRAPHICS
Carotid artery disease
In people with carotid artery disease, fatty deposits called plaques build up
inside the artery walls. These plaques can break open and cause blood
clots to form, and that can lead to stroke.
25/11/13 Patient information: Carotid artery disease (The Basics)
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Carotid artery surgery (endarterectomy)
During carotid artery surgery, also called "endarterectomy," the
doctor clamps the carotid artery above and below the area that has
plaque. Then the doctor cuts open the artery and removes the
plaque. Next, he or she sews the artery back together and unclamps
the artery.
Reproduced from: What To Expect During Carotid Endarterectomy. Diseases and
Conditions Index. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/carend/carend_during.html
(Accessed December 3, 2010).