to read the original article - Central Illinois Radiological Associates

carotid disease
Why Does a
Blockage In My Neck
Need a Brain Expert?
T
he carotid artery is a highway to the brain. There is a carotid
artery on each side of the neck. Each one travels through
the neck (where one can feel the pulse) and splits into two
branches, the most important one being the internal carotid artery
(ICA) which leads directly to the brain. The most vital fact is the
two carotid arteries are responsible for about 75-80% of the entire
brain’s blood flow. When a person has high blood pressure, diabetes and/or high cholesterol problems, the carotid arteries can
become narrowed by a process called atherosclerosis (plaque
build up). As a result, narrowing of the carotid arteries can interfere
or completely block the blood flow to the brain.
Stroke is the sudden onset of weakness/numbness of one side
of the body, drooping face, slurred speech, language problems
Capture All of Life’s
Precious Moments
daryl
wilson
photography
309-240-8318
[email protected]
Page 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — February 2012
This article was written as a collaborative effort between
Central Illinois Radiological Associates (CIRA) and Illinois
Neurological Institute (INI): L to R: Dr. Deepak Nair,
Neurologist, Dr. James Swischuk, Interventional
Radiologist, Dr. Sean Meagher, Neurointerventional
Surgeon, Dr. David Wang, Vascular Neurologist,
Dr. Arun Talkad, Neurologist
and sudden loss of vision. This neurologic change is due to brain
damage from a disruption of blood flow to a specific portion of
the brain. About 800,000 strokes occur every year, making it the
leading cause of adult disability and nursing home admission. Up to
85% of strokes are due to a lack of blood flow to a particular part
of the brain, known as an ischemic stroke. Of this 85% of ischemic
strokes about 20% are caused by blockages of the carotid arteries.
Assessing the carotid arteries is part of a routine physical exam.
Doctors should feel the carotid artery and listen for any noises,
called bruits, with their stethoscope. If narrowing of carotid arteries is suspected, determining the most appropriate diagnostic
tests and selecting the best treatment option for a patient with
carotid disease can be complex. For example, using ultrasound,
the speed of blood flow in the carotid arteries can be measured.
This is a simple test which can reveal the amount of narrowing.
More precise tests include CT and MRI scans of the blood vessels
from the upper chest to inside the brain.
There are three effective ways of treating carotid artery disease
to prevent strokes. The first is medical management. Aggressively
treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood
sugar levels may stop the progress of carotid narrowing. If the
narrowing becomes too severe, doctors may consider surgical
options. The first is an operation to remove the cholesterol plaque
carotid endarterectomy or (CEA). The second is a procedure from
inside the brain arteries called carotid artery stenting (CAS). Recent
studies show that both procedures reduce the risk of stroke.
The INI Carotid Clinic is the only clinic in the Midwest providing
brain specialists in Stroke Neurology, Vascular Neurosurgery, Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology, and Neurointerventional
Surgery to every patient with carotid disease in the same visit. This
“one-stop shopping” offers patients with carotid disease same
day diagnostic testing followed by comprehensive multi-specialty
physician evaluation during a single visit. This eliminates the need
for multiple referrals and appointments. Since its formation five
years ago, the INI Carotid Clinic brain specialists have provided
this comprehensive care to more than 2000 patients with carotid
disease.
If you have been diagnosed with carotid disease and would like
to consult our brain experts, or would like more information about
CEA or CAS, you or your primary care physician should call us at
1-877-4-CVA-911 (1-877-428-2911).
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February 2012— Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 27