Carotid Artery Occlusion Treatment

Carotid artery occlusion is a disease that occurs as a result of severe narrowing or occlusion of the carotid arteries located on both sides of the neck and known colloquially as the jugular veins. One of the reasons why carotid artery occlusion is important is that these vessels are the vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Carotid artery occlusion is an important disease that can pose great risks such as paralysis. When diagnosed based on different symptoms, it must be treated.

How Does Carotid Artery Occlusion Occur?

Generally, a healthy arterial wall has a smooth and flexible structure. However, smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol levels can cause dangerous substances to accumulate in the carotid wall. Carotid artery occlusion, known as the carotid disease in medical terminology, is caused by the accumulation of certain undesirable substances in the vessel wall. Fat, cholesterol residues, white blood cells (leukocytes), and calcium accumulate in the inner vessel wall, which leads to a thick layer called "atherosclerotic plaque." As a result, stenosis, loss of flexibility, and obstruction occur in the jugular vein.

Stenosis in the carotid artery causes a decrease in blood flow to the brain. As the blood flow to the brain falls below the required level, oxygen and nutrient delivery reduce to a great extent. It causes the person to face many problems, especially stroke. Unless intervened in time and appropriate treatment methods are applied, the complete obstruction will occur. It causes permanent brain damage and stroke. To prevent this, he can come to our health center located in the city of Izmir; our specialist doctor and professional team can treat you with the most accurate treatment methods.

How to Decide on a Treatment Method for Carotid Artery Occlusion?

In diagnosing a carotid disease, a murmur might be heard in the course of checking the carotid artery with a stethoscope during the examination. The carotid ultrasonography might show disruption in the form of blood flow and narrowing in the carotid artery. Besides, carotid angiography is preferred to determine the extent of stenosis and decide on the treatment method. Angiography can be performed in classical (conventional) carotid angiography or computed tomography or angiography accompanied by magnetic resonance imaging.

If the degree of stenosis in the carotid artery is below 50%, usually anticoagulant drugs (aspirin) are prescribed for the patient, and recommendations are made regarding the risk factors. Among the suggestions for risk factors are keeping blood sugar under control and stopping smoking if the patient is diabetic, regulating medication if he/she has hypertension, prescribing a diet or drug if he/she has high cholesterol levels, and maintaining ideal weight if he/she is obese. 

If the degree of stenosis in the carotid artery is over 50%, a decision is taken between carotid artery surgery and carotid stent application options. Since a significant number of patients with carotid artery occlusion may also have stenosis in the coronary vessels feeding the heart tissue, coronary angiography can be scheduled for the patient because after these examinations, these patients may require both cardiac and carotid artery surgery to a certain extent. Some patients might be diagnosed with 100%  carotid artery occlusion, that is, the carotid artery is completely occluded in line with the carotid artery angiography. If this blockage is not deriving from a recently developed clot, namely, if it has existed for a long time, no intervention is made on the carotid artery. 

The carotid artery surgery is the treatment method used for many years, and the results are scientifically-proven in patients with stenosis of more than 50% in the carotid artery. The most important reason for recommending surgery for the patient is to protect the patient from any stroke risk in the future. When deciding on surgery, the degree of stenosis in the carotid artery, and whether the patient has neurological complaints such as dizziness, temporary loss of vision, or partial paralysis are considered. Also, stenting can be regarded as an alternative treatment method in some patients with high surgical risk or whose carotid artery anatomical structure is not suitable for surgery.

Carotid Artery Occlusion Treatment in Izmir

Since carotid artery disease, also known as carotid artery occlusion, does not cause any symptoms until paralysis, correct diagnosis is of great importance. Therefore, it is a critical factor to go to a regular doctor's control. At this diagnostic stage, the carotid artery is checked with a stethoscope, and when encountering abnormal sounds, carotid artery occlusion is suspected. 

If you are diagnosed with carotid artery occlusion in line with the necessary examinations, you can get an opinion from Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Kiriş, who will inform you in detail about the treatment of carotid artery occlusion in Izmir. Moreover, if you need to have carotid artery surgery, this operation is successfully performed in the fully equipped operating rooms and by a suitable team.