A 79-year-old musician with asymptomatic carotid artery disease
Article Abstract:
The case of a 79-year old man with a history of atherosclerosis illustrates the dilemma in treating asymptomatic carotid artery disease. He had a history of coronary artery disease and had received a bypass graft. He began experiencing pain in his calves when he walked and his physician noted abnormal sounds in his carotid arteries. Carotid ultrasound revealed plaques in both of his carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries can break off and travel to the brain, where they can cause a stroke. The most common treatment for carotid artery disease, a procedure called endarterectomy, has many serious complications. A neurology consultant recommended carotid artery ultrasound every six months and the patient was taught to watch for the symptoms of neurologic dysfunction due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Causes and Severity of Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis
Article Abstract:
Endarterectomy may not benefit many patients with carotid artery disease because many strokes are not caused by carotid artery disease. During endarterectomy, surgeons open the carotid arteries and remove the plaque inside the artery. In a study of 2,885 people with carotid artery disease, half of the 1,039 strokes that occurred over a 5-year period were not related to the carotid artery disease. This was true even in patients with 99% blockage of the carotid artery. Many strokes were caused by a blood clot that traveled from the heart to the brain, and these strokes were more likely to be fatal or severely disabling.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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Stroke in a Healthy 46-Year-Old Man
Article Abstract:
The case of a 46-year-old man who had a stroke caused by dissection of the internal carotid artery is described. The symptoms are similar to migraine, which could delay the diagnosis.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2001
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