Carotid artery stenosis
Carotid Artery Stenosis
Carotid artery stenosis (pronunciation: kuh-ROT-id AR-ter-ee steh-NO-sis) is a medical condition characterized by the narrowing of the carotid arteries, the two main blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain.
Etymology
The term "carotid" is derived from the Greek word "karōtides" meaning "to stupefy" or "to plunge into deep sleep", as pressure on these arteries was believed to cause unconsciousness. "Stenosis" comes from the Greek word "stenos" meaning "narrow".
Causes
Carotid artery stenosis is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Other causes include fibromuscular dysplasia, a condition that causes abnormal cell growth in the arterial walls, and arteritis, an inflammation of the arteries.
Symptoms
Symptoms of carotid artery stenosis may not appear until the artery is severely narrowed or blocked. They can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, often on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, loss of balance, and sudden severe headaches.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis typically involves a physical examination, during which a doctor may listen for a whooshing sound (bruit) over the carotid artery, a sign of turbulent blood flow. Imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiography may also be used.
Treatment
Treatment for carotid artery stenosis can include lifestyle changes, medications to control risk factors, and procedures to restore blood flow through the carotid arteries. These procedures can include carotid endarterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove plaque from the artery, and carotid artery angioplasty and stenting, a less invasive procedure in which a small balloon is inflated to widen the artery and a stent is inserted to keep it open.
See Also
- Atherosclerosis
- Fibromuscular dysplasia
- Arteritis
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carotid artery stenosis
- Wikipedia's article - Carotid artery stenosis
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