Question 1

can carotid artery dissection be cured?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many times the carotid dissection cures/heals itself without residual symptoms.  As the dissection heals and scars, it "cures" itself.  When it occurs acutely, it may need to treated with carotid stenting or some other type of interventional radiology procedure.
These can be devastating or with minimal effects.

Question 2

how common is a carotid artery dissection?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon: A dissection is a separation of the inner layer of an artery from the outer layer.  The risk aside from direct obstruction is that the internal blood pressure can enter this new pocket and rapidly tear open more of the lining, shutting down the artery or even causing a leak - both of these events are deadly.  Any major arteries can be affected; the carotid is less common than the aorta.

Question 3

describe the features of a carotid artery dissection.?

Accepted Answer

Arterial tear: An uncommon cause of stroke, but among younger patients, it is one of the most common.  Sometimes spontaneously, sometimes after an activity that involves sudden torsion to the neck, a tear may form along the three layers that constitute the arterial wall.  This tear causes turbulent blood flow and predisposes to clot formation.  These clots can then cause a stroke by blocking important arteries.

Question 4

if i develop carotid artery dissection, how will it be treated?

Accepted Answer

Stent: Most often these days placing a stent in the carotid artery will do the job. Similar to stenting coronary arteries.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: carotid artery dissection?

Accepted Answer

A tear in the vessel: Arteries are made up of several layers much like an onion.  Occaisionally a small tear in the most inner layer can occur.  The blood flows through the artery under high pressure. This jet of blood can separate the layers causing the vessel to obstruct (close off).  In the carotid artery this could cause a stroke.

Question 6

my brother has carotid artery dissection. is that something important?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Need to follow treatment recommendations of his doctor closely so dissection can heal without causing a stroke.

Question 7

can you tell me more about cervical carotid artery dissection?

Accepted Answer

Dissection: Majority caused by trauma. Initial therapy is heparinization and conversion to Coumadin (warfarin) with close follow up. Need full anticoagulation for minimum 3-6 months. Majority of dissections healed without sequela.

Question 8

what would occur if you experienced a carotid artery dissection while on eliquis?

Accepted Answer

: A garden variety carotid artery dissection tends to cause early on, cerebral ischemia, and an eventual full-blown stroke may occur.  The presence of anti-coagulation might prevent some of the localized thrombosis and mitigate the immediate damage potential but might result in hemorrhage in the area of cerebral infarction.  So, an unpredictable two-edged sword?

Question 9

i read a blog post about carotid artery dissection. but i'm still not clear - what is it?

Accepted Answer

A tear: It is a tear in the wall of one of the arteries that transport blood to your brain. The layers of the wall separate and flap in the blood stream which may cause a cessation of blood supply to teh brain from that artery.

Question 10

please let me know if there is an online community for patients with carotid artery dissection?

Accepted Answer

Carotid Dissection: To my knowledge there is no such community established yet.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for carotid artery dissection

A member asked:

Can carotid artery dissection be cured?

A member asked:

How common is a carotid artery dissection?

A member asked:

Describe the features of a carotid artery dissection.?

A member asked:

If i develop carotid artery dissection, how will it be treated?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: carotid artery dissection?

A member asked:

My brother has carotid artery dissection. is that something important?

A member asked:

Can you tell me more about cervical carotid artery dissection?

A member asked:

What would occur if you experienced a carotid artery dissection while on eliquis?

A member asked:

I read a blog post about carotid artery dissection. but i'm still not clear - what is it?

A member asked:

Please let me know if there is an online community for patients with carotid artery dissection?

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