Carotid Arterial Disease
Carotid Arterial Disease
1/3 all strokes result from extracranial arterial disease.
Main site of atheroma at bifurcation of the common carotid artery.
Critical narrowing of vessel at 70% or >.
Carotid bruit only heard in minority with TIA
Exam for other arteriopathy eg AAA ,PVD, Hypertension, DM, CRF
Investigations Bloods (FBC, U+E, Lipid, GLU) ECG, Imaging with Doppler studies/duplex USS
When and Where to refer
- TIA clinic if suspected TIA
- Incidental finding of >50% stenosis refer to Vascular Surgery
- Urgent referral if Critical narrowing 70%+