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Microembolism in Carotid Artery Disease
Author(s) -
SIEBLER MARIO,
SITZER MATTHIAS,
ROSE GEORG,
STEINMETZ HELMUTH
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8175.1996.tb00931.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , cardiology , transcranial doppler , stenosis , internal carotid artery , carotid artery disease , radiology , stroke (engine) , disease , carotid endarterectomy , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abnormal high intensity transient signals detectable with transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography have been associated with formed cerebral microembolism. Using long‐term TCD monitoring, these clinically silent microembolic events can be observed in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Downstream of high grade internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, they occur significantly more frequently in neurologically symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients. Although the occurrence ofmicroemboli is random, the individual rate underlies circadian fluctuations and seems to decline within the first weeks after an ischemic event. Pathoanatomic work suggests that luminal ulcer and thrombosis of the stenosed ICA are the major sources of microemboli. Thus, by tapping into an important pathomechanism, the detection of clinically silent cerebral microembolism appears to provide paraclinical evidence of “unstable carotid artery disease” and may help to evaluate more specific treatment strategies.