Carotid artery
Stroke prevention
If there is a sudden circulatory disorder or acute vascular occlusion in the brain, this very often results in a Stroke. The sensitive brain tissue is urgently dependent on oxygen and so serious neurological symptoms quickly occur. Damage Off.
Diagnostics
Ultrasound examination of the carotid artery
Approximately 20% of all strokes in Germany result from a narrowing of the carotid artery. Parts of a deposit in the carotid artery are carried along with the blood flow and carried into the brain or eye and clog the bloodstream here.
Fortunately, the carotid artery can be examined very well for stenoses (constrictions) using ultrasound and should be examined in the case of Presence of certain risk factors is recommended to everyone. All the more so if classic symptoms of a circulatory disorder in the brain or eye have already occurred: short-term blindness in one eye for several seconds (amaurosis fugax), weakness or paralysis in one arm or leg or acute speech disorders.
This can Harbingers of an impending stroke and should always lead to immediate contact with an acute hospital - ideally with a specialised neurological department with an attached stroke unit.
The examination of the carotid artery is carried out using ultrasound and is harmless. This makes it possible to recognise whether there is already high-grade calcification caused by arteriosclerosis. If there is a significant narrowing of the vessel diameter via 70% If a stroke is present, it may be necessary to operate on the carotid artery or dilate it with stent implantation in order to reduce the risk of a stroke.
Frequently asked questions on the topic of "carotid artery"
An examination of the carotid artery for constrictions is always recommended if there are significantly increased fat levels in the blood or if there are corresponding symptoms originating from the carotid artery. These include, for example, visual disturbances in one eye with temporary blindness, paralysis or numbness in one limb, difficulty finding words, etc. There is no official age limit for the examination of the carotid artery.
The examination of the carotid artery only takes a few minutes and is performed with the patient awake and lying down. With the ultrasound device, the carotid artery in the neck can be clearly seen and the extent and significance of constrictions or deposits in the carotid artery can be analysed.
can be assessed. The examination is not painful. I will then explain the findings in detail and make recommendations for action.
For patients with statutory health insurance, the costs for an examination of the carotid artery by me as a private doctor are not covered. In this case, the patient pays for the examination themselves and the costs for a bilateral examination followed by a discussion of the findings amount to approx. 150 euros. In the case of private patients, the costs are covered by the private health insurance companies. In the case of a purely preventive examination at the patient's request, this is an IGeL service and the assumption of costs should be clarified with the health insurance company in advance.
A narrowing of the carotid artery can lead to a visual impairment with short-term blindness in one eye for several seconds or minutes (so-called amaurosis fugax = temporary blindness). Furthermore, one-sided paralysis or sensory disturbances of an extremity can occur. Difficulty finding words, speech disorders, reading disorders or a drooping corner of the mouth on one side can be further indications of a symptomatic narrowing of the carotid artery and thus an impending stroke. If the symptoms described above resolve spontaneously within 24 hours, this is referred to as a TIA (transient ischaemic attack).
The ultrasound examination of the carotid artery is not painful and is not associated with any risk. It is carried out in a relaxed atmosphere, taking into account any difficulties in positioning the cervical spine when turning the head to one side.
Impressions of the practice
