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What To Know About Carotid Angioplasty
Carotid angioplasty and stenting can help open up blocked carotid arteries. It's often used to help prevent strokes, and your doctor might recommend it if you have a blocked artery.
If you're feeling sudden weakness and numbness, dizziness, or trouble speaking, you may have a blocked artery. This happens when plaque has built up in your arteries over time, affecting blood flow. Sometimes, a blocked artery doesn't cause any symptoms, but it does increase your risk of stroke.
Your doctor may suggest a procedure called a carotid angioplasty and stenting. This allows them to place a stent, which opens up the artery to improve blood flow to your face, neck, and brain.
Read on to learn more about what a carotid angioplasty is and what to expect from the procedure.
A carotid endarterectomy is another procedure that doctors can use to address blocked carotid arteries. In this procedure, doctors open the carotid artery and remove the plaque causing the blockage.
This surgery involves a cut in the neck, which is not necessary with a carotid angioplasty. Because a carotid angioplasty is less invasive than a carotid endarterectomy, it's usually associated with less pain.
A carotid endarterectomy has a higher risk of myocardial ischemia, a complication where the heart doesn't get enough oxygen due to lack of blood flow. However, a carotid angioplasty carries a higher risk of stroke.
Both procedures have similar long-term success rates. They have comparable rates of restenosis, which is when the blood vessel narrows again over time.
To perform a carotid angioplasty, the doctor will insert a catheter into an artery in your groin or arm. A catheter is a thin, flexible tube. Using ultrasound guidance, they will thread the catheter up to the carotid artery.
At this point, they will inflate a small balloon at the end of the catheter. This pushes the plaque to the side and widens the artery.
They can then insert a stent to hold the artery open. Finally, they deflate the balloon and remove it along with the catheter, leaving only the stent behind.
Carotid angioplasty can result in hyperperfusion or excessive blood flow to the brain. Although this is rare, it can be fatal. To prevent this, healthcare professionals will carefully monitor your blood pressure and symptoms before, during, and after the procedure.
After you undergo a carotid angioplasty, you'll need to lie still for a while. You may also need to spend the night at the hospital for monitoring.
Once you're released from the hospital, it's important to follow your doctor's directions for caring for the incision site. You should try to avoid strenuous activity and driving until your doctor says it is safe, and you might need to take some time off work.
Carotid Artery Disease
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Carotid artery disease may be asymptomatic (without symptoms) or symptomatic (with symptoms). Asymptomatic carotid disease is the presence of a significant amount of atherosclerotic build-up without obstructing enough blood flow to cause symptoms. However, a sufficiently tight stenosis will not always cause symptoms. Symptomatic carotid artery disease may result in either a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and/or a stroke (brain attack).
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a sudden or a temporary loss of blood flow to an area of the brain, usually lasting a few minutes to one hour. Symptoms usually go away entirely within 24 hours, with complete recovery. Symptoms of a TIA may include, but are not limited to, the following:
TIA may be related to severe narrowing or blockage or from small pieces of an atherosclerotic plaque breaking off, traveling through the bloodstream, and lodging in small blood vessels in the brain. With TIA, there is rarely permanent brain damage.
Call for medical help immediately if you suspect a person is having a TIA, as it may be a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur. Not all strokes, however, are preceded by TIAs.
Stroke is another indicator of carotid artery disease. The symptoms of a stroke are the same as for a TIA. A stroke is loss of blood flow (ischemia) to the brain that continues long enough to cause permanent brain damage. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without oxygen. The area of dead cells in tissues is called an infarct.
The area of the brain that suffered the loss of blood flow will determine what the physical or mental disability may be. This may include impaired ability with movement, speech, thinking and memory, bowel and bladder function, eating, emotional control, and other vital body functions. Recovery from the specific ability affected depends on the size and location of the stroke. A stroke may result in problems such as weakness in an arm or leg or may cause paralysis, loss of speech, or even death.
The symptoms of carotid artery disease may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
What To Know About Thrombotic Strokes
A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery in the head or neck that supplies blood to the brain. The blockage prevents blood from reaching part of the brain, which can cause brain cell death.
While the risk of stroke increases with age, strokes are possible at any age.
The outcome of the stroke relies on swift medical treatment, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms of thrombotic strokes.
This article discusses these points, as well as risk factors, prevention, and treatment.
The symptoms of a thrombotic stroke typically begin suddenly and may vary depending on the location and severity of the blockage.
Potential symptoms include:
Thrombotic strokes are a type of ischemic stroke. They occur when a blood clot or plaque buildup blocks blood flow to the brain.
The other type of ischemic stroke is an embolism, which occurs when a blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain, where it creates a blockage.
Certain conditions, such as atherosclerosis, can lead to a stroke. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries, creating narrow passages and rough surfaces where blood clots can easily form.
Several risk factors can increase a person's chances of developing a thrombotic stroke.
Some factors, such as age and genetic predisposition, are beyond a person's control. However, a significant portion of risk factors relate to lifestyle choices, such as:
Several other medical conditions and environmental factors can also increase the risk of thrombotic strokes, including:
Treating thrombotic stroke centers around restoring blood flow to the brain as quickly as possible.
The type of treatment the stroke team uses depends on the start time of the symptoms and what other medical conditions a person has.
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is one treatment for thrombotic strokes. The medication injection works to break up the blood clot in the brain. However, a healthcare professional must typically give the medication within 4.5 hours after symptoms start.
In situations when tPA is not an option, the stroke team may choose to perform a thrombectomy. This is a procedure that involves threading a catheter through the leg artery and up to the blocked area to remove the clot and place a stent that restores blood flow.
The recovery and outlook for a thrombotic stroke varies from person to person and can last as long as 6 to 12 months.
Some people may make a full recovery, while others can experience lifelong disabilities. It depends on the severity of the brain damage.
Rehabilitation also includes mental health. After a stroke, a person's moods may change quickly and they can have changes in their behavior. It is important for them to discuss their mental and emotional health with their healthcare team.
After a thrombotic stroke, there are several strategies a person can use to lower their risk of another stroke.
Lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors for a stroke may also help, including getting enough exercise and taking steps to lower high blood pressure.
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.
If anyone experiences stroke symptoms or sees someone with stroke symptoms, they should call 911 immediately.
What is the difference between a thrombotic and embolic stroke?
A thrombotic stroke happens when a blood clot forms directly in a brain artery. In contrast, an embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain, causing a blockage.
What is the hardest stroke to recover from?
Recovering from a stroke varies from person to person and depends on factors such as the stroke's severity and location. Each person has a unique recovery journey.
What is the recovery time following a thrombotic stroke?
Recovery time from a thrombotic stroke is highly variable depending on the stroke's severity, its location, and the person's overall health.
While some individuals may see significant improvements within weeks, others can experience a longer recovery time spanning months or longer. Typically, the faster a person sees improvements immediately after a stroke, the better their recovery will be.
Thrombotic strokes occur due to blood clots forming in a brain artery and demand immediate medical attention. Swift treatment with clot-busting medications or procedures to remove the blockage is critical to maximize recovery.
Each person's recovery is their own journey and typically involves rehabilitation to regain lost abilities and adapting to long-lasting effects.
Embracing a heart-healthy lifestyle, managing medical conditions, and smoking cessation are all ways to help reduce the risk of stroke.
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