Articles tagged with Carotid Artery
A significant geographic variation was found in the use of carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting among Medicare beneficiaries, with different regions having varying rates of each procedure. Men and patients with a prior diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease were more likely to undergo carotid revascularization.
Researchers compared two treatments for preventing strokes due to carotid artery disease, but found no clear winner. While surgery may be beneficial for patients who have had a stroke or temporary stroke in the past 12 months, stenting offers similar benefits for asymptomatic patients.
A new study from NYU Langone Medical Center shows that carotid artery ultrasound is a valuable screening tool for diagnosing and excluding coronary artery disease. The non-invasive test can identify severe plaque buildup in the neck arteries, potentially avoiding the need for invasive angiography.
Transcranial doppler ultrasound detects cerebral emboli in asymptomatic carotid stenosis patients, revealing those at high risk of stroke and low risk of benefiting from surgery. The technique identifies a small group with high stroke risk, while others have a low risk that may not warrant intervention.
Researchers found that two comparable procedures have equal benefits for men and women, but patient age affects outcomes. The study, part of the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial (CREST), shows stenting is more beneficial for younger patients, while surgery is better for older ones.
A large national clinical trial has shown that carotid artery surgery and stenting are equally effective in preventing stroke, with personalized treatment options available for individual patients. The study found excellent safety and long-term results for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
A new cerebral protection device has been shown to effectively reduce particles released during carotid stenting procedures, preventing strokes. The Mo.Ma device provides an alternative to surgery for stroke prevention, with a low major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event rate of 2.7%.
A two-year study led by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that moderate weight loss significantly reverses carotid artery atherosclerosis, reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. The study compared low-carbohydrate, low-fat and Mediterranean diets, showing improved results for those with greater weight loss.
The FiberNet Embolic Protection System had a 97.5% success rate in preventing strokes during carotid artery stenting in high-risk patients with CAD. The study found a combined major adverse event rate of 3.0% at 30 days following carotid endarterectomy.
The CREST trial found that traditional surgery and stenting are roughly equal in safety and efficacy for clearing dangerous carotid artery blockages. Patients' age and medical condition should influence treatment choice.
Researchers found that younger patients (age 69 and younger) benefit from stenting, while older patients (over 70) are more suited to surgery. This study provides valuable risk/benefit information to help physicians choose the best carotid procedure based on individual health history.
A new study published in The Lancet and The Lancet Neurology found that carotid stenting is not as effective as standard surgery in preventing stroke or as safe in the short-term. Surgery was shown to almost halve the risk of stroke and death within 30 days after treatment, compared to stenting.
Patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent intensive medical therapy had reduced rates of cardiovascular events and microemboli in the brain arteries. This approach, including aggressive control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, resulted in lower risk of stroke, heart attack, and death.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that carotid endarterectomy surgery significantly reduces the risk of future strokes in patients with chronic kidney disease. The procedure was shown to be safe and effective, without increasing the risk of death from surgical complications.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that extended-release niacin, a B vitamin, offers no extra benefits when combined with traditional cholesterol-lowering therapy in seniors already diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Blood cholesterol levels improved, but arteries did not show significant changes.
A study found that carotid arterial stenting procedures were associated with poorer clinical outcomes, including heart attack and stroke, in Medicare patients. The increased use of stenting procedures coincided with expanded Medicare coverage, leading to higher rates of mortality and adverse outcomes.
Research finds incidental NAFLD associated with higher c-IMT and carotid plaque prevalence in outpatients. Patients with NAFLD have an increased relative risk of developing carotid plaques, highlighting the importance of metabolic risk assessment.
A study by LSUHSC researchers found that unstable carotid artery plaques contain more inflammation and less omega-3 fatty acids than asymptomatic ones. Increasing dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods may prevent strokes or improve treatment safety.
A study examined stroke risk among patients undergoing cardiac surgery, finding that post-operative stroke occurred in approximately 2 percent. Patients with combined cardiac and carotid procedures had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative stroke, suggesting that these procedures should be avoided.
The CAVATAS study found that surgery reduces the risk of both short-term and long-term stroke, as well as repeat stenosis. Patients who underwent endovascular treatment had a higher incidence of restenosis and subsequent stroke compared to those who received surgery.
A UT Southwestern study found that minorities have worse clinical outcomes and higher rates of complications from carotid endartectomy, a procedure to prevent stroke. Higher rates of poor outcomes were due to elevated patient risk and the individual skill experience of surgeons.
A study by Luca Saba found that diabetes and hypertension are significantly related to carotid artery wall thickness, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Patients with CAWT greater than 1mm in diabetes or hypertension are at increased risk of stroke.
A new study has found a possible connection between shorter menopause and faster progression of atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart disease. Women who transitioned more quickly through menopause were at higher risk for a higher rate of progression of preclinical atherosclerosis.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that managed-care plans did not improve the quality or outcome of care for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The study examined data from over 11,400 cases and found no difference in rates of inappropriate surgery between managed-care and fee-for-service plans.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that there is no definitive difference in outcomes between using general or local anaesthetic for carotid surgery. The randomised controlled trial analysed over 3,500 patients and found similar incidence rates of stroke, heart attack, and death in both groups.
A study found a correlation between optic nerve damage in glaucoma patients and significant carotid artery narrowing, potentially increasing stroke risk. Additionally, a survey on religious beliefs and fasting reveals that adherence to faith-related taboos can impact patient compliance with ocular treatment.
A new study has identified 11 clinical risk factors that can help doctors weigh the risks and benefits of carotid surgery. The study found advanced age and non-white patients are at higher risk for death or stroke after surgery.
A new study found a low number of strokes and cardiac events in patients treated with the FiberNet Embolic Protection System during carotid stenting. The system's unique filter design and ease of use contributed to these low event rates.
A study published at the TCT scientific symposium found that a novel blood flow reversal system used during carotid stenting is safe and effective, with a low death rate of 0.8% and major adverse event rate of 3.7%. The system offers potential advantages over existing devices by directing embolic particles away from the brain.
A retrospective study of 103 carotid endarterectomies in 95 patients aged 80-94 found a low incidence of neurologic complications. The combined stroke and death rate was 2.91 percent, indicating that age alone should not disqualify patients from this surgery.
A study by Dr. David Spence found that 95% of patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis can manage without surgery, benefiting from improved medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. Patients with microemboli are the exception, requiring revascularization to reduce stroke risk
Researchers used 3-D MRI to accurately detect bleeding in diseased carotid arteries, a condition that may lead to stroke. The technique identifies complicated plaques with surface ulcerations and blood clots, which are major causes of vascular events.
Two studies found that carotid angioplasty with stenting is as effective as endarterectomy in the medium term, but carries higher risk of stroke within 30 days. The average annual risk of ipsilateral stroke is 1% or less, regardless of treatment.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have observed a non-invasive MR imaging healing mechanism for asymptomatic carotid plaque rupture. The study, published in Circulation, shows that not all plaque ruptures are symptomatic and highlights the importance of monitoring vulnerable plaques.
The carotid artery's intima-media thickness (IMT) is a valuable research tool that can predict cardiovascular events. Measuring IMT using non-invasive ultrasound allows for monitoring over time and assessing the impact of risk factor interventions.
A study published in Sleep found that heavy snoring is an independent risk factor for early carotid atherosclerosis. The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis increases significantly with the severity of snoring, affecting up to 64% of heavy snorers.
Researchers used ultrasound imaging to measure carotid artery plaque density and predict cardiovascular events. Patients with reduced plaque density had a significantly increased risk of near-future adverse events, highlighting the potential for this non-invasive technique to improve cardiovascular disease management.
A new study reveals carotid endarterectomy is an effective stroke-prevention procedure for high-risk patients with multiple medical conditions. Despite concerns about surgical risk, the procedure achieved low mortality and morbidity rates, as well as long-term freedom from stroke.
A carotid bruit, a 'sound' over the carotid artery indicating blockage, substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular death and heart attack. The meta-analysis of 22 studies found patients with carotid bruits were around twice as likely to suffer a heart attack.
The SAPPHIRE trial found that carotid stenting was comparably effective to surgery in preventing stroke, heart attack, and death in high-risk patients. Patients undergoing stenting had similar rates of revascularization procedures as those who underwent surgery.
The study found that endothelin, a protein regulating blood pressure, directs nerve cell growth along specific blood vessel branches. In mice, nerve cells grown near endothelin-soaked beads or in the absence of endothelin failed to grow towards those areas.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that carotid stenting with embolic protection is as safe and effective as surgery for patients at high risk for endarterectomy. The SAPPHIRE study showed equivalent stroke and repeat procedure outcomes between the two groups.
A new study suggests that minimally invasive carotid stenting is as effective as open surgery in preventing strokes among high-risk patients. After three years, patients who underwent stenting had similar rates of stroke, heart attack, or death compared to those who received traditional open surgery.
A study published in Neurology found that Hispanics with even small amounts of plaque build-up in the carotid artery are up to four times more likely to suffer or die from a stroke or heart attack. The study also highlights the importance of measuring plaque thickness by ultrasound as a simple tool for guiding stroke prevention therapies.
Scientists at the University of Leicester have developed new Doppler ultrasound techniques to detect emboli, reducing intra-operative and post-operative stroke rates by 96% and 99.3%, respectively. The 30-day death/stroke rate has also fallen from 6% to 2.6%.
Recent studies have compared carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in high-risk patients, yielding comparable results. However, its role in 'low-risk' patients remains unclear, with ongoing trials needed to determine the best approach.
A study published in Journal of Vascular Surgery found increased aortic arch calcium content and complex arch morphology are associated with higher risk of embolization during carotid artery stenting in patients over 75. This may lead to the use of alternative techniques to reduce risk.
Two carotid stenting trials, CAPTURE 2 and EXACT, demonstrated 30-day patient outcome results consistent with longstanding AHA guidelines for asymptomatic patients. The studies showed that carotid stenting achieved outcomes comparable to surgery in a population of high-risk patients.
Researchers found that treating OSA patients with CPAP significantly decreases atherosclerosis markers in just months. This study links OSA directly to artery hardening, providing new evidence for the causal connection between OSA and cardiovascular events.
A coalition of physicians from various medical specialties urges the expansion of catheter-based treatments for stroke, citing a shortage of trained physicians and limited use of clot-busting drugs. They propose adapting neuro-rescue skills to increase the number of available physicians for 24/7 treatment.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center re-evaluated carotid artery narrowing standards, finding that existing methods may be too aggressive. The new standards, developed using high-resolution ultrasound techniques, indicate a lower threshold for determining significant narrowing.
Scientists have successfully implanted dopamine generators in brain cells, leading to improved symptoms in Parkinson's disease in non-human primates. The treatment involves injecting fragments of the carotid body into the striate area of the brain, which boosts the production of dopaminergic cells and increases dopamine release.
Researchers found that calcified carotid artery atheroma detection on panoramic radiographs does not correlate with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. The authors emphasize the need for closer examination of risk factors such as age, smoking history, and hypertension.
Researchers found that combining torcetrapib with atorvastatin did not slow the progression of atherosclerosis, contrary to expectations. The study also noted significant increases in HDL-C and decreases in LDL-C levels.
The EXACT study found that community hospital physicians can provide exemplary outcomes for patients in need of carotid stenting with appropriate experience levels and device training. The use of embolic protection devices has been shown to reduce peri-procedural complications by 4.5% compared to the SECuRITY study.
A new study found a significant drop in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for inappropriate reasons. The study, published in Neurology, credits the decline to randomized controlled trials that clarified the surgery's proper use.
A recent study published in Neurology found that patients undergoing combined heart bypass surgery and carotid endarterectomy experience a 38% higher chance of death or postoperative stroke compared to those who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery alone. The study suggests that the combined procedure may not provide additional benef...
A study published in Neurology found that methamphetamine use is associated with an increased risk of major neck artery tears and stroke. The research reviewed two cases of women who experienced sudden speech difficulty and weakness after using the drug, resulting in severe strokes from carotid artery dissection.
The CAPTURE study found that carotid stenting can be performed safely and effectively by community physicians who receive proper education and training. The study involved 3,500 high-surgical risk patients and 353 physicians at 144 hospitals across the US, with similar outcomes among experienced and less-experienced physicians.
A new clinical trial, CHICAGO, demonstrated that pioglitazone (ACTOS) reduced the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker for heart attack and stroke, by 0.013 mm. The study also showed improved glycemic control, decreased triglycerides, and increased HDL-C levels with ACTOS treatment.