Carotid Artery Disease

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Carotid Artery Disease

• For HED 491
• by
• Emily J. Annable

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What is CAD?

• a disease of the vessels that lead to the
  head and brain
• CAD slows oxygenated blood flow to the brain
• brain does not receive an adequate blood supply
  causing a STROKE

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STROKE

• gt 50 are due to CAD
• 3rd leading cause of death
• leaves survivors with physical mental
  disabilities
• 70 billion annually to care for survivors

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CAD Stroke Risk 3 Ways

• fatty deposits (plaque) collects and narrows the
  arteries
• blood clot becomes wedged in an already narrowed
  artery
• plaque breaks off and becomes lodged in a smaller
  artery in the brain

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Plaque Thrombus
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Symptoms of CAD

• may be none
• transient ischemic attacks (TIA)
• numbness, weakness, paralysis
• facial muscle drooping
• loss of or slurred speech
• blurring or vision loss
• loss of consciousness

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Main Risk Factors

• high LDL (bad cholesterol)
• hypertension
• smoking
• family history of coronary artery disease
• diabetes
• obesity
• lack of exercise

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Screening Methods

• clinical auscultation for bruits imperfect
• non-invasive sonography and Doppler ultrasound
• angiography

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Carotid Artery Study -- Normal
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Carotid Artery Study -- Stenosis
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Carotid Artery Study -- Normal
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Carotid Endarterectomy
Plaque specimen
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CAD Treatment

• lifestyle modification prevention is best
  defense!
• aspirin therapy (anticoagulation meds)
• surgery carotid endartarectomy

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Thanks!!