Carotid diseases

Authors

  • Inês Müller Pinheiro Interna do Internato Complementar de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta.
  • Gil Marques Assistente Hospitalar de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta.
  • Nádia Duarte Interna do Internato Complementar de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta.
  • Ana Gonçalves Assistente Hospitalar de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta.
  • Pedro Barroso Assistente Hospitalar de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta.
  • António Gonzalez Assistente Hospitalar de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta.
  • Maria José Ferreira Directora do Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Garcia de Orta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v26i5.10784

Keywords:

Stroke, Atherosclerosis, Carotid Artery Disease, Platelet Inhibitors

Abstract

About 90% of the cases of extracranial cerebrovascular disease are due to atherosclerosis. The atherosclerosis plaques occur mainly in the carotid bifurcation and their most dreaded consequence is a stroke, which is the number one cause of morbilitity and permanent disability in Europe. It is also considered the second most important cause of dementia, the most important cause of epilepsy in the elderly and a frequent cause of depression. Roughly 80% of the strokes are ischemic, 20 % of which are due to extracranial carotid atherosclerosis releasing emboli into the cerebral circulation or due to insufficient flow. The carotid duplex scan is the first line diagnostic method. The objective of all therapeutic intervention is to prevent cerebral infarction. Current stroke prevention guidelines recommend dietary, lifestyle, and risk factor modification. Antiplatelet therapy is currently used to prevent thromboembolic complications of carotid disease. Patients with a 70% or greater symptomatic carotid stenosis have clear indications for surgical intervention (endarterectomy or stenting). Sixty to 99% asymptomatic carotid stenosis should only be operated in high risk patients and carotid stenting should be avoided.

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Published

2010-09-01

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 5 (2010): Revista Portuguesa de Clínica Geral

Section

Dossier

License

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How to Cite

Carotid diseases. (2010). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 26(5), 496-501. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v26i5.10784