Carotid stenosis

Constrictions of the extracranial vessels supplying the brain most commonly occurs at the outlet of the internal carotid artery. This is known as carotid stenosis.

Frequency

• The frequency of ≥ 50% carotid stenosis (according to NASCET) in the population is approx. 4.2%.
• In Germany, approx. 15% of all ischaemic cerebral strokes are caused by ≥ 50% or occlusion of the extracranial carotid artery.
• The risk of cerebral infarction on the side of an asymptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis has steadily decreased with optimised medical treatment and is currently around 1% per year.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made primarily by ultrasound. Further diagnosis with MR angiography (magnetic resonance angiography) or CT angiography (computed tomography) is indicated if there is uncertainty or an invasive indication for treatment.

Treatment

As part of our interdisciplinary carotid consultation, patients are discussed with all specialists (vascular surgery, neurology, neuroradiology, angiology). In a regular neurovascular board meeting, all diseases are discussed on an interdisciplinary basis and the best individual treatment concept (best medical treatment - surgery - stent implantation) is then recommended.

After carotid surgery, patients are monitored for one night in the stroke unit at the UKR site (ward 25).

Patients with acute stroke are mainly treated in the Stroke Unit of the Department of Neurology.