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Carotid Endarterectomy and Stroke
Each side of the neck has an artery called the common carotid. Each common
carotid splits into two branches -- the internal branch, which brings
oxygen-rich blood to the brain, and the external branch, which brings
blood to the face.
Blockage of the internal carotid artery can reduce blood supply to the brain,
causing a stroke. When the internal carotid arteries become blocked by fat
and cholesterol build-up of atherosclerosis (also called plaque) can result.
Over time, the plaque slowly begins to block the flow of blood. The plaque
itself may block the artery enough to cause a stroke. In addition, the plaque
often causes the blood to flow abnormally, which leads to a blood clot. A clot
can stay at the site of narrowing and prevent blood flow to all of the smaller
arteries it supplies. This type of clot, which doesn't travel, is called a
thrombus. In other cases, the clot can travel and wedge into a smaller vessel.
A clot that travels is called an embolism.
If you develop a thrombus in the internal carotid artery or an embolism in
a smaller blood vessel, you may experience symptoms such as blurred vision,
slurred speech, or weakness (all signs of stroke).
By restoring adequate blood flow to the internal carotid artery, strokes can
be prevented. This may be accomplished either by a surgery called endarterectomy
or a procedure known as angioplasty with stent placement. Traditionally used
for the heart, this latter procedure is now being used on blood vessels to
the brain as well. . Patients who suffer from recurrent disease or are risky
operative candidates are increasingly treated with carotid stenting techniques
and initial resuls appear similar to that obtained with surgical endarterectomy.
If you experience any symptoms of stroke, at any time, seek immediate medical
attention. (With any delay in treatment brain function may be
permanently lost.)
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