Epidemiologie und Pathologie der Karotisstenose – Risiken und Progression aus neurologischer Sicht

Abstract

Carotid occlusive diseases are a common cause of ischemic stroke and therefore of patient disability. Asymptomatic stenoses are often accidental findings, thus statements about the prevalence remain uncertain. It can be estimated that 2-8 % of all adults have a carotid artery stenosis of more than 50 %. Prevalence is increasing with the number of vascular risk factors and comorbidities. The risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke correlates among others with the degree and in particular the progression of stenosis and averages out 1-5 % per year for patients with a stenosis of at least 80 %. Furthermore carotid artery stenoses are important markers for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, treatment of carotid artery stenoses always must be part of an overall concept treating the systemic disease of atherosclerosis.