Surgery | Common Surgical Conditions | Peripheral Vascular Disease Transient Ischaemic Attacks and Strokes

Peripheral Vascular Disease: Transient Ischaemic Attacks and Strokes
Session Overview
Description
In this session the presentation, investigation and management of carotid atherosclerosis will be discussed.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Recognise the clinical syndrome of carotid territory ischaemia
• Identify modifiable risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis and their treatment
• Understand how carotid stenosis is measured
• Recognise which patients benefit from revascularisation
• Appreciate the anatomy, technique and complications of carotid endarterectomy

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should:

• Revise the anatomy of the carotid arteries and the Circle of Willis

Stroke, transient ischaemic attack and retinal ischaemia are referred to a surgeon when they originate from thromboembolism from an unstable carotid atheroma.

The 2013 National Clinical Guideline for Stroke states "patients with symptomatic carotid disease require surgery within one week of symptom onset" and therefore it is imperative that all surgical trainees are able to recognise the presentation of carotid disease and identify who will benefit from endarterectomy.

In addition these patients require aggressive medical therapy for atherosclerosis as they are at very high risk for cardiac death. This is often neglected in surgical texts.

This session covers the basic knowledge required to make treatment decisions within the framework of a neurovascular multidisciplinary meeting.