Carotid stenosis occurs when a large portion of one or both carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain is narrowed or blocked. Carotid stenosis is usually caused by atherosclerosis. Carotid stenosis is one of the causes of stroke, retinal infarction and transient ischaemic attack.

Among risk factors to develop carotid stenosis: age, smoking, high blood pressure, overweight, diabetes, high cholesterol levels.

In many cases carotid stenosis has no symptoms until it causes stroke or ischemic attack. Frequently it can be discovered on clinical exam. A physician can hear a noise over the carotid artery with a stethoscope. Diagnosis is made by providing carotid doppler ultrasound test, cerebral angiography or MRI screening.

Treatment of carotid stenosis includes antiplatelet medications. If brain blood supply is still unsufficient, surgical intervention is needed. Carotid endarterectomy is surgical procedure, performed under a general anesthetic, in which small incision is made in the neck. The artery is then opened and the plaque removed. More recently carotid stenting procedure is performed to treat carotid stenosis. The stent is incorporated into the carotid artery, and then the stent is expanded, opening the narrowed artery. This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia.

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