If the narrowing of the carotid arteries becomes severe enough to block blood flow, or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque breaks off and obstructs blood flow to the brain, a stroke may occur.

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of carotid artery disease.Risk factors associated with atherosclerosis include:

• Older age
• Male
• Family history
• Race or ethnicity
• Genetic factors
• Hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Diet high in saturated fat
• Lack of exercise

• Sudden weakness or clumsiness of an arm and/or leg on one side of the body
• Loss of coordination or movement
• Numbness or loss of sensation (feeling) in the face
• Numbness or loss of sensation in an arm and/or leg
• Temporary loss of vision or blurred vision
• Inability to speak clearly or slurred speech

    Stroke is another indicator of carotid artery disease.

• Carotid artery doppler– a type of vascular noninvasive ultrasound study performed to assess the blood flow of the carotid arteries.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)/ CTA – a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of magnetic resonance technology (MRI) or xrays and intravenous (IV) contrast dye to visualize blood vessels.
• Cerebral Angiography (DSA) –gold standard an invasive procedure used to assess the degree of blockage or narrowing of the carotid arteries by taking x-ray images while a contrast dye in injected. The contrast dye helps to visualize the shape and flow of blood through the arteries as x-ray images are made.

• Carotid artery disease (asymptomatic or symptomatic) in which the narrowing of the carotid artery is less than 50 percent is most often treated medically. Asymptomatic disease with less than 70 percent narrowing may also be treated medically, depending on the individual situation.Medical treatment for carotid artery disease may include:
  • Modification of risk factors. Risk factors that may be modified include smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, elevated blood glucose levels, lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, and elevated blood pressure.
  • Medications
  • Antiplatelet medications –
  • Antihyperlipidemics – medications used to lower lipids (fats) in the blood, particularly cholesterol.
  • Antihypertensives – medications used to lower blood pressure.
  • Antidiabetics – medications used to lower blood sugar.
  In persons with narrowing of the carotid artery greater than 50 percent to 69 percent, a more aggressive treatment may be recommended, particularly in persons with symptoms. Surgical treatment decreases the risk for stroke after symptoms such as TIA or minor stroke, especially in persons with an occlusion (blockage) of more than 70 percent who are good candidates for surgery.Surgical treatment of carotid artery disease includes:
  Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a procedure used to remove plaque and clots from the carotid arteries, located in the neckCarotid artery angioplasty with stenting (CAS). This is a minimally invasive procedure in which a very small hollow tube, or catheter, is advanced from a blood vessel in the groin to the carotid arteries. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon may be inflated to open the artery and a stent is placed.. Because there is a risk of stroke from bits of plaque breaking off during the procedure, an apparatus, called an embolic protection device, may be used.Advantages of CAS over CEA