karotisstenos

Karotisstenos refers to the narrowing of the carotid arteries, which are major blood vessels supplying blood to the brain, head, and neck. This narrowing is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque, composed of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances, builds up on the inner walls of the arteries. Over time, this plaque can harden and restrict blood flow.

Symptoms of karotisstenos may not appear until the narrowing is severe enough to significantly reduce blood supply to the brain. When symptoms do occur, they can be transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), often called mini-strokes, or full strokes. TIAs are temporary episodes of stroke-like symptoms, such as sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body), confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, dizziness, or loss of balance. A full stroke results in more prolonged and potentially permanent neurological deficits.

Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination to listen for bruits (abnormal sounds) in the carotid arteries, followed by imaging tests. These can include carotid ultrasound, computed tomography angiography (CTA), or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to visualize the arteries and assess the degree of narrowing.

Treatment depends on the severity of the stenosis and the presence of symptoms. Lifestyle modifications, such as managing high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, quitting smoking, and adopting a healthy diet, are fundamental. Medications, including antiplatelet drugs or statins, may be prescribed. In cases of severe or symptomatic stenosis, surgical procedures like carotid endarterectomy (surgical removal of plaque) or carotid angioplasty with stenting (widening the artery with a balloon and placing a stent) may be recommended to restore adequate blood flow and reduce the risk of stroke.