Intracranial Atherosclerosis

Intracranial atherosclerosis or Intracranial atherosclerosis disease treatment in Guntur is the build up of a fatty substance called plaque in the arteries that supply the brain with blood, causing the narrowing and blockage of these vessels. It is part of the same systemic process that affects the heart or legs causing a heart attack or pain while walking.

If a vessel becomes completely blocked or severely narrowed, blood flow to the brain can be compromised and a stroke can occur.

What are the risk factors?

The risk factors that are associated with intracranial atherosclerotic disease are the same for atherosclerotic disease elsewhere in the body such as in the vessels of the heart, causing a heart attack such as High blood pressure, Smoking, Diabetes, Heart disease, Artery disease outside the heart and the major vessels, obesity, High blood cholesterol level, Lack of exercise.

What are the symptoms?

Unlike atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries, which often causes transient ischemic attacks (TIA or ministrokes), intracranial atherosclerosis often is only found when a major stroke occurs.

Common signs and symptoms of a stroke or TIA may include sudden

1. Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg especially on one side
2. Confusion or dizziness or sudden loss of consciousness and seizures
3. Trouble speaking or understanding
4. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
5. Trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination
6. Severe headache with no known cause
7. Trouble swallowing

If you or anyone you know experience these symptoms, emergency medical care should be sought.

It is imperative for the patient to reach a hospital with Neurovascular expertise as quickly as possible for certain types of treatments to be successful.

What is the treatment for intracranial atherosclerosis that does not respond to medical therapy?

Intracranial stent placement is an endovascular procedure by Endovascular neurosurgery in Guntur done from the inside of the blood vessel. A stent is positioned across the narrowed area in the artery within the brain. The stent stays in place permanently holding the artery open and improving blood flow.

The stent also holds the plaque against the artery wall. This reduces the risk of plaque breaking off, traveling to your brain, and causing a stroke. Most stents are made from nickel-titanium, a metal that is bendable but springs back into its original shape after being bent.

What medications are to be used before and after stent placement?

You will be prescribed blood thinners. Common drugs used include Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Warfarin or Ticagrelor. These medications lower the risk of clot formation.