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Carotid artery occlusion: acute symptoms and long-term prognosis
Insights
Patients with carotid artery occlusion experienced a low annual incidence of ipsilateral stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Anticoagulant therapy may have contributed to this favorable outcome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiology
Background:
- Carotid artery occlusion is a significant risk factor for stroke.
- Understanding the long-term prognosis and recurrence rates is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes and recurrence rates of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with carotid artery occlusion.
- To assess the potential impact of anticoagulant treatment on these outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 59 patients diagnosed with carotid artery occlusion between 1968 and 1977.
- Analysis of presenting symptoms, acute phase outcomes, and long-term follow-up data (mean 48 months).
- Comparison of outcomes between patients who received anticoagulant treatment and those who did not.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients presented with stroke (41/59), with a significant acute mortality (9/41).
- Low annual incidence of ipsilateral stroke (approx. 1%) and TIA (approx. 1%) observed during follow-up.
- Anticoagulant treatment in 20 patients may be associated with the reduced recurrence rate.
Conclusions:
- Carotid artery occlusion, despite initial high stroke presentation, is associated with a low annual risk of ipsilateral ischemic events.
- Anticoagulant therapy might play a role in mitigating stroke and TIA recurrence in this patient population.
Abstract:
Fifty-nine patients with carotid artery occlusion diagnosed during 1968-1977 were studied. The presenting symptoms were ipsilateral TIA in 12 patients, stroke in 41, 9 of whom died in the acute phase, and TIA or stroke from other vascular territory in 6 patients. Thirty-nine percent of the patients had preceding TIA. At the time of follow up (mean 48 months), only 2 cases with TIA and 2 with stroke on the occluded side were found. Seven patients had recurrent symptoms from other vascular regions. Twelve patients died during follow up because of diseases unrelated to stroke. Thus the annual incidence of ipsilateral stroke (approximately 1%) and TIA (approximately 1%) was low. Anticoagulant treatment of 20 of the patients might have contributed to the low recurrence rate.