Carotid Disease
CAROTID DISEASE
The duplex ultrasound scan that is used to screen patients for carotid stenosis is a pain-free outpatient test that is easy to perform and reliable in most non-invasive laboratories especially if the laboratory is ICAVL approved. The test is performed in under an hour and consists of placing gel on your neck and having the technician image your carotid arteries and measure their flow as well as taking pictures of the arteries themselves.
Causes of Carotid Diseases
Carotid disease is called carotid artery stenosis. This term refers to the narrowing of the carotid arteries. The narrowing is usually caused by the build-up of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits called plaque. Carotid artery occlusion refers to complete blockage of the artery. When the carotid arteries are obstructed, there is an increased risk for stroke.
Like the artery that supplies blood to the heart, the carotid arteries can develop atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries” inside the vessels. The build-up of the fatty substances and cholesterol narrows the carotid arteries; this decreases blood flow to the brain and increases a stroke’s risk.
The causes of carotid disease are very similar to those of other types of cardiovascular diseases; these include:
- Age
- Smoking
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Abnormal lipids or high cholesterol
- Insulin resistance
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Family history of atherosclerosis, either coronary artery disease or carotid artery disease.
Treatment of Carotid Disease
The treatment of Carotid Disease as suggested by our experts involves:
- Changes in lifestyle
- Taking in a proper and regular manner prescribed medications
- Undergoing treatment procedures
Lifestyle Changes
The following lifestyles are suggested by our Carotid surgeons at Advanced Veins and Vascular Management in order to prevent carotid disease from progressing further:
- Stop smoking and also quit using tobacco products.
- Controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes,and heart disease is highly recommended.
- Routine doctor check-ups along with check-up of your lipid profile.
- Regulating saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium intake.
- Managing weight.
Medications
- The vascular surgeon injects a special contrast medium through a catheter into your bloodstream. The contrast dye allows the doctor to see your arteries on an X-ray monitor.
- An instrument with a small balloon on the end of it is inserted through an artery in your leg or arm and advanced through the arteries until the narrowed area is reached.
- The balloon is inflated, pushing the plaque against the artery wall; this dilates the opening in the artery, allowing blood to flow again.
- The balloon is then deflated and removed from the body.
Angioplasty treatment may be not sufficient
: the blood still cannot flow properly after the treatment. Then a stent can be placed. A stent is a kind of metal ballpoint pen. It gives the vessel wall extra support and prevents the blood vessel from springing back after angioplasty.
Bypass surgery For Intermittent Claudication
Sometimes also angioplasty or stent placement isn’t sufficient, due to a very extensive narrowing or that the narrowing is in a place where a dotter cannot be performed. Then bypass surgery may be an option.
Then the vascular surgeon for Intermittent Claudication Treatment Near Me creates a bridging (bypass) for the occluded or severely narrowed artery. The upper connection of the bypass will be made at the level of the groin to the femoral artery. For the bottom connection, a duplex examination or angiography is used in advance to locate a site in the blood vessel below the closure. This can be above or below the knee.