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%+