How is a blockage of the carotid artery diagnosed?
One way to diagnose a blockage of the carotid artery is through a carotid ultrasound. This is a painless, non-invasive imaging procedure that uses sound waves to view the blood vessels in the neck and to determine the presence of narrowing in the carotid arteries. Other non-invasive alternatives include CT scans and MRIs. Finally, carotid angiography can be used to diagnose a carotid artery blockage. This is an invasive imaging procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the arm or leg, guiding it to the carotid arteries with the aid of a special x-ray machine and injecting dye to help visualize the arteries and any blockages that might be present. What is the standard procedure for addressing a blockage in the carotid artery? In the past, the most commonly utilized procedure was to create an incision in the neck, open the artery and remove the blockage, a procedure called ‘Carotid Endarterectomy.’ Carotid artery stenting has now emerged as an alternative for ma
