Posted on 04/27/2025 7:20:36 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Research shows a significant proportion of patients who suffer a stroke due to carotid artery narrowing can be treated with medication only.
A risky carotid artery operation may then no longer be necessary for this group of patients.
People with carotid artery stenosis are operated on after they have had a stroke. Thirty years ago, large studies showed that an operation in which a narrowing in the carotid artery is removed reduced the risk of a new stroke.
Since then, the medications these patients receive alongside their surgery—such as blood thinners, medication for cholesterol and high blood pressure—have improved significantly.
"For the vast majority of these patients, medication alone is probably sufficient to reduce the risk of another stroke," says Nederkoorn.
Between 2012 and 2019, the researchers examined 429 patients, spread over 30 centers in Europe and Canada. All patients had a low or average chance of having another stroke within two years of their initial treatment.
Patients were divided into two groups. Half received only medication, and the other half also received standard surgery.
The groups were compared on the basis of how often new strokes had occurred, how many patients had had a heart attack and in how many cases patients had had a stroke unnoticed or where there was a high risk of a new stroke due to accumulations in the carotid artery. This could be seen on the MRI scans that the participating patients received after two years.
The two groups scored equally across all metrics.
Martin Brown, said, "We recommend using the CAR score to identify patients with carotid narrowing who can be managed with optimized medical therapy alone.
"This approach emphasizes personal assessment and intensive treatment of vascular risk factors, potentially sparing many patients from the discomfort and risks of carotid surgery or stenting.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Our sister-in-law had a stroke last night, with carotid artery surgery already scheduled for this morning. They removed life support a couple hours ago.
She had smoked for about 50 years, and we figure that didn’t help.
I am saddened by your sudden loss.
I know how hospital visits can sometimes go either way.
May your family make it through this time okay and may all glorify God.
Thank you. My brother’s church is very supportive, and we know where she is now and that she isn’t suffering.
two septembers ago I had test that showed my left caratid artery was two thirds blocked. that terrorized me. I lost 30 pounds and used a cocktail of drugs and supplements.
A year later I ran the same test and found that my left carotid was completely clear.
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