Cerebral Atherosclerosis

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Doppler/duplex ultrasonography of the vessels supplying the brain. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle). Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Computed tomography of the skull (cranial … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Diagnostic Tests

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Surgical Therapy

Surgical therapy is indicated for asymptomatic carotid stenosis >60%; men in particular and those with a life expectancy >5 years have a proven benefit. The complication rate should be < 3%. Furthermore, therapy is indicated in symptomatic carotid stenosis > 50 %.After a neurological event in carotid stenosis, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be performed as … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Surgical Therapy

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Prevention

Prevention of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries) requires attention to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Malnutrition and overeating, e.g., excessive caloric intake and high-fat diet (high intake of saturated fat). Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see prevention with micronutrients. Consumption of stimulants Alcohol (woman: > 40 g/day; man: > 60 g/day) … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Prevention

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) Small lesions (injury) that may be present in the arterial wall as early as adolescence constitute the asymptomatic beginning of atherosclerosis. In the first place, endothelial cell damage (so-called endothelial dysfunction; endothelium = cells of the innermost wall layer directed toward the vessel lumen) is caused by an increased supply of oxidized … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Causes

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Test and Diagnosis

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides Homocysteine Lipoprotein (a) – lipoprotein electrophoresis, if necessary [in men, a single determination of lipoprotein (a) is sufficient; in women, a determination before and after menopause is required]. Small blood count Inflammatory parameter – CRP (C-reactive protein) Fasting glucose (fasting … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Test and Diagnosis

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target Optimal control of: Diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), and hyperlipidemia (dyslipidemia) (target LDL < 100 mg/dl). Therapy recommendations See under diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and the corresponding forms of hyperlipidemia. Anticoagulation (inhibition of blood clotting): Individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant risk factors should be effectively orally anticoagulated (INR 2.0 … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Drug Therapy

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of cerebral atherosclerosis (atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries). Family History Are there any diseases of the cardiovascular system (e.g., coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction/heart attack) in your family that are common? Social history What is your profession? Is there any evidence of … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Medical History

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Skin and subcutaneous (L00-L99) Vasculitis (vascular inflammation), unspecified. Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Apoplexy (stroke) Hypertensive encephalopathy – hypertensive emergency characterized by an increase in intracranial (within the skull) pressure with consequent intracranial pressure signs. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS, synonym: Call-Fleming syndrome); constriction (contraction of muscles) … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by cerebral atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries): Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Visual disturbances up to amaurosis (blindness). Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Apoplexy (stroke) Cerebral arterial disease (cAVD): TIA (transient ischemic attack), PRIND (prologue reversible ischemic neurologic deficit), apoplexy Psyche – … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Complications

Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Classification

Arterial occlusive disease of the extracranial (“outside the skull”) or intracranial cerebral arteries can be classified as follows: Asymptomatic stenosis Transient ischemic attack (TIA) – symptoms of apoplexy that resolve within 24 hours at the latest [see below TIA]. Apoplexy (stroke) [see below Apoplexy] Extracranial cerebral arteries: Arteries between the aortic arch and the base … Cerebral Atherosclerosis: Classification