Our brain is our most sensitive organ. It can only survive without oxygen for 3 minutes. The carotid artery, the main vein that feeds our brain, passes from both sides of the neck and is responsible for the blood supply to our brain. Carotid artery diseases cause temporary or permanent disruption of the nutrition of our brain and therefore temporary or permanent damage to our brain. It ranks first in the world in deaths caused by neurological causes and in second place in deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases.
Age, blood pressure disease, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol levels, obesity, diabetes, smoking, kidney failure. These are the most important known risk factors.
There may be a decrease in the blood flow to the brain due to narrowing, and due to the turbulent flow in this region, a clot may form on the plaque surface in the vessel wall, and pieces broken off from these clots or plaques may travel to the brain and cause damage.
Dizziness, balance disorder, sudden headache, darkening in the eyes, temporary vision loss, speech or vision disorders in the later stages, fainting, loss of strength or sensation on one side of the body and Paralysis is the symptom that can be seen in this disease.
Another method used in diagnosis is Doppler ultrasound. Computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and conventional angiography can be used.
In the treatment of carotid artery disease, vascular occlusions can be eliminated by evaluating diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which are among the risk factors that can cause the disease, with early diagnosis. Lifestyle changes and medication can be applied to prevent it.
The need for intervention arises in cases of symptomatic and/or stenosis above certain levels. Carotid endarterectomy is used as the surgical method. During this procedure, the carotid artery is accessed through an incision made in the neck and the plaque causing blockage in the vessel wall is removed from the vessel wall. With this surgery, the plaque causing the stenosis is removed and the vessel diameter is increased, thus the blood flow returns to its normal shape and goes to the brain. n blood flow is guaranteed. The opened vein is closed without using any patch or by using a patch. After the surgery, patients should act in accordance with the recommendations of the specialist physician, use blood thinners and anticoagulants regularly and avoid factors that harm vascular health.
Read: 0
