Progression to Carotid Occlusion: More Benign Than We Thought?

A retrospective observational study suggests that stroke is rare in patients with asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis, even when occlusion occurs.

Patients with asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis are at increased risk for stroke, but the stroke rate appears to be decreasing with modern, multifaceted medical therapy. One of the fears with medical management of patients with asymptomatic stenosis is progression to total vessel occlusion, with a chance for a potentially devastating stroke. To examine the risk for stroke in such patients, researchers analyzed a single-institution carotid ultrasound database.

Overall, 316 previously asymptomatic patients were identified who developed an ICA occlusion during the 23-year study period (1990–2012). Mean age was 66.4 years, 71% were men, and 78% had hypertension. Most (80.4%) of the vessel occlusions occurred before 2002 to 2003…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Progression to Carotid Occlusion: More Benign Than We Thought?

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Reviewing Author