Stenosis of the carotid artery

Under carotid stenosis( CCA) is understood the narrowing of its lumen. The main cause of this pathology is atherosclerosis of the arteries.

The clinical picture of carotid artery stenosis

CCA does not show any obvious symptoms, but is accompanied by anxious signs of a stroke. The most important is a transient ischemic attack, in simple terms, a "mini-stroke".Such ischemic attacks develop due to the fact that the "blood clot" blocks the way to the blood flow through the artery, which supplies the brain. Transient attacks are temporary. Their duration may be from a few minutes to hours, while the person feels:

• sudden loss of vision or sharp deterioration of vision;
• coordination disorder;
• numbness or weakness of one side of the face. The same sensations can be in any leg or arm, one side of the trunk;
• inarticulate speech, it's hard to understand what other people say;
• confusion, dizziness;
• difficulty in swallowing.

Treatment of carotid artery stenosis

Drug therapy

All patients suffering from stenosis of the carotid artery are prescribed antiplatelet drugs. Their administration significantly reduces the risk of blood clots, stroke and other complications in the cardiovascular system. The most common antiplatelet agent is aspirin.

In addition, in aptekah you can buy dipyridamole( Persantine) and clopidogrel( Plavix).Their reception should be supervised by the doctor, he can appoint them as an addition to aspirin.

To reduce the possibility of clot formation and clogging of their vessel, anticoagulants are prescribed, for example, warfarin( Coumadin).

Tissue plasminogen activators are used to dissolve thrombi. They are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke. A high effect of taking such drugs is observed when taking it within 3 hours of the onset of signs of a stroke.

Surgical procedures

This type of treatment includes carotid endarterectomy or stenting of the artery. Most often the procedure is prescribed for severe stenosis of the carotid artery, it helps to prevent the development of a stroke.

Carotid endarterectomy is a traditional surgical technique designed to eliminate stenosis of the carotid artery. This procedure is recommended for sick people suffering from stenosis of the carotid artery, at which the level of stenosis reaches from 50% or more, as well as to persons without obvious manifestations of pathology, but with a stenosis level of 60% or more.

Carotid endarterectomy is performed by general or local anesthesia using intravenous sedation. The surgeon performs a cut in the neck region in the projection of the carotid artery. Then the thrombus and atherosclerotic plaque are removed, the vessel is stitched, seams are placed on the skin tissues. After surgery, the normal flow of blood into the brain is restored and nothing prevents it. Stenting of the carotid artery. An important point in the operation is the introduction of a balloon catheter into a blood vessel. This manipulation occurs when observed through an angiogram( X-ray unit).He shows the surgeon the place of a clot obstruction or the narrowing of the carotid artery by an atherosclerotic plaque. A balloon is sent to this place, which is inflated in a narrowed place for a few seconds. This makes it possible to expand the lumen of the artery and thereby restore normal blood flow. In the future, instead of a balloon, a stent is sent to the narrowed section, which is a small mesh tubule with a diameter of the artery lumen. This stent remains in the vessel forever. And throughout his life he maintains the lumen of the vessel open.

It has been shown that the stenting of the lumen of the carotid artery with the use of devices protecting the vessel from the development of embolism is a safe and highly effective procedure.

Stenting, carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty do not require a very long stay in the hospital. Stay of the patient is limited to 1-3 days. To normal life the patient returns usually within 1-2 weeks.