Carotid artery disease

Carotid artery disease occurs when soft material accumulates inside the carotid artery and forms plaque (deposits).

We have two common carotid arteries, located on both sides of the neck, each dividing into internal and external branches. The internal carotid artery supplies blood to the brain, while the external carotid artery supplies the face, neck and scalp.

In carotid artery disease, which in itself carries a risk of stroke, narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery disrupts blood circulation to the brain.

Symptoms

Sudden, severe headaches

Dizziness and loss of balance

Transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke"

Neurological symptoms (loss of vision in one or both eyes, internal capsule paralysis, hemianopia)

Inability to move the limbs; weakness or loss of sensation in the limbs; speech disturbance

Causes

extravascular compression

occlusive diseases

carotid artery dissection

abnormal kinking and deformities

Carotid artery disease is treated conservatively (antiplatelet agents, statins, optimization of blood glucose and blood pressure, quitting smoking) and surgically (carotid endarterectomy, arterial graft replacement, extracranial-intracranial bypass, stenting).