Carotid stenosis treatment

Occlusion of the carotid arteries

The carotid artery is located in the neck and is the most important vessel that supplies blood to the brain. Coronary artery narrowing or blockage is very dangerous because it affects the brain, which is one of the vital organs. Blood supply to the brain decreases or a thrombus is thrown from the narrowing area to the brain, causing a stroke.

Although it is popularly known as vein occlusion, what is important for us in the carotid artery is not the vein occlusion but the narrowing of the vein. Because treatment is not necessary or possible after the vein is completely blocked. However, when the vessel is narrowed, a thrombus can go to the brain and this results in serious complications.

A thrombus from the neck veins to the brain results in a stroke. However, there may be notable complaints of narrowing before a stroke. These are complaints such as a tingling sensation in the body or face, weakness in the arms and legs, impaired speech, blurred vision or a black veil in the eye, sudden fainting, heart failure, severe dizziness. These complaints are the initial indicators of a permanent stroke. For this reason, if there is a correspondence between your complaints and what was said, you should definitely undergo an examination by a Neuropathologis. In this way, it is possible to prevent a stroke by taking initial treatment

Brief information

• In case of stenosis of the carotid arterial located in the neck, a thrombus can be thrown into the brain.
• Small stenosis do not cause major complications. However, when the contraction exceeds 50%, the risk of throwing a thrombus into the brain increases seriously.
• Many of the patients already experience paralysis when the thrombus falls into the brain.
• The important thing is to prevent the thrombus from getting into the brain by being diagnosed and treated before the thrombus gets into the brain.
• Color doppler screening is sufficient for diagnosis. If necessary, an accurate diagnosis is made by MRI or CT and the degree of tightness is measured.
• Treatment with Angio or surgery is only prescribed for stenosis in over of 50%.
• If carotid is 100% stenosis, it is very unlikely that he will throw a thrombus into the brain anymore because the vascular path is closed and treatment is not needed. So, you don't need to open a completely blocked vein.
• There are 4 vessels that feed the brain. If one of the veins is fully occupied, there is no danger to the brain, as long as the other veins are open.
• There are two methods of treatment for narrowing the carotid:
• By placing a stent in angiography, we open the vessel by specialist invasive radiologists.
• Clearing the stenosis by surgery - opening by specialist cardiac and vascular surgeons.
• Both methods are successful.

How does coronary artery stenosis or occlusion occur?

Coronary artery stenosis (carotid artery) is caused by hardening of the arteries or calcification of the arteries.

Who has aortic stenosis and occlusion?

Coronary artery disease can occur in anyone over the age of 50. Because it is caused by hardening of the arteries, it occurs more often in patients with a high risk of developing atherosclerosis (the elderly, those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and smokers).

What complaints will arise if a thrombus is thrown into the brain due to coronary artery narrowing?

• Short-term darkening of the eyes. Darkening happens in one eye and according to this indicator it is possible to put it in the initial stage of the disease.
• Numbness or weakness in the face or arm.
• Weakness, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs.
• Stroke in arms and legs.
• Disruption of speech, inability to hear and understand what is being said.
• Dizziness that does not go away before the thrombus is thrown into the brain.

In many patients, cervical stenosis is detected and treated after these complaints.

The main thing is to diagnose and treat this narrowness without causing stroke and other serious complications.

How do we diagnose disease?

Clinically, if the above complaints are present, imaging methods are used to make a diagnosis. The initial examination is done by color Doppler ultrasonography of the neck area. Most of the patients are diagnosed with this method. In addition, if it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis with Doppler examination, it can be diagnosed with MRI or CT angiography. While angiography used to be used to make a diagnosis, now it is diagnosed by the methods listed and angiography is used to treat or to place a stent.

When should a stent or surgery be done in coronary artery occlusion?

If the narrowing of the coronary artery is more than 50% and causes complaints, it is important to open the artery. Treatment is to open the stenosis by surgery or by placing a stent.

In some cases, it is possible to solve the problem only with drug treatment.

Both surgery and stent placement are similar methods in the treatment of vascular stenosis. Currently, both methods are used. Both methods are successful.

Stent therapy applied with invasive radiology is offered here.

Placement of a stent in coronary artery occlusion

A stent used in vascular occlusions is in the form of a cage made of metal. You can find more detailed information about stents in the angiography section of our website. Coronary stents are very little different from other stents. Vascular narrowing is visualized by angiography, a stent is placed in that area and the stent is expanded by ballooning. When a coronary stent is placed, a special filter is placed over the narrowing to prevent the risk of thrombus in the brain. This filter is removed after stent placement is complete.

Dangers that may arise during and after the process

One of the effective methods is to open coronary artery occlusion by placing a stent. Pain is not felt during the process. As with any treatment, there are some risks involved in this treatment.

The most important risk is the ejection of a thrombus from the area of stenosis into the brain when opening the stenosis with a stent. It occurs in 3% - 6% of patients. It is the most important risk, even if it happens very little.

You can get more detailed information about the treatment in the stent treatment with angiography section of our website