From Hippocrates to Palmaz-Schatz, the history of carotid surgery

The extracranial carotid artery is the most common site for peripheral vascular procedures. Although the association of carotid disease and neurologic dysfunction was understood by the ancient Greeks, over 1700 years would pass before the relevant anatomy was described. In the 16th and 17th centuries, attempts at treatment of carotid injury and aneurysm by ligation were met with extremely high rates of stroke and death. It is not until the mid 20th century, with the introduction of carotid angiography and improved vascular surgical techniques, that the era of reconstructive carotid surgery begins. We present a synopsis of the history of carotid surgery from ancient times to present day.