[Carotid plaque exulcerated]
David Rucka1, Jean Claude Lubanda, Debora Karetová
1Univerzita Karlova v Praze, 1. lékarská fakulta a VFN, II. interní klinika kardiologie a angiologie. david.rucka@vfn.cz
Abstract:
The authors report a case of a 77 years old male patient with mild stenosis of the carotid artery caused by an exulcerated plaque in the carotid bifurcation. The patient presented with recurrent ipsilateral strokes which were treated with intravenous thrombolysis. A brief review of the literature related to the management of unstable exulcerated carotid plaque is presented in this article with emphasis on current treatment options. Carotid endarterectomy if often performed in such cases. However, the outcome of the procedure remains still very controversial. In the described case, conservative approach using optimal medical treatment with lipid lowering agents, antiplatelet and antihypertensive therapy was chosen mainly because of patient preference and resulted in favourable outcome.
Insights
This case study highlights a conservative approach for managing mild carotid artery stenosis caused by an exulcerated plaque. Optimal medical treatment led to a favorable outcome, suggesting an alternative to surgical intervention for select patients.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Exulcerated carotid artery plaques present a significant risk for recurrent ischemic strokes.
- Management strategies for unstable carotid plaques remain a subject of ongoing clinical debate.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male with mild carotid stenosis due to an exulcerated plaque experienced recurrent ipsilateral strokes.
- Initial treatment involved intravenous thrombolysis for acute stroke events.
Findings:
- The case utilized a conservative management strategy, prioritizing optimal medical treatment.
- This included lipid-lowering agents, antiplatelet therapy, and antihypertensive medications.
Implications:
- Conservative medical management can yield favorable outcomes in select cases of exulcerated carotid plaque.
- This approach offers an alternative to carotid endarterectomy, particularly when patient preference aligns.
- Further research is warranted to define the optimal treatment paradigm for unstable carotid plaques.
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