Stroke is the result of a blockage in a blood vessel that interrupts the flow of oxygen to the brain. Brain cells require a constant supply of oxygen to stay healthy and function properly. The brain receives about 25% of the body’s blood supply, but it cannot store oxygen. A reduction for even a short period of time can be devastating, damaging brain tissue and leaving an individual with a range of impaired motor, visual, speaking and cognitive functioning.

The most common neurological disorder, stroke is one of the top three most common major illnesses in the United States, afflicting more that 500,00 people each year. There are several causes of stroke, but the most common (up to 80%) are due to emboli to the brain. Emboli are blood clots or particles from the walls of arteries that break loose and travel through the body in the blood circulation, eventually lodging in on of the brain’s arteries and blocking the flow of blood to brain tissue. The most common artery from which these emboli arise are the carotid arteries, which are large arteries in the neck which directly supply a large portion of the brain.

Several large studies performed in the United States and Canada in the last decade have proven the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in preventing stroke. This is an operation in which plaque is surgically removed from the carotid arteries in the neck. This procedure is currently performed over 300 times per year by NYU Medical Center vascular surgeons, who have been among the national leaders in this field. Carotid artery narrowing can be easily and accurately detected with a duplex scan, which is an ultrasound and Doppler exam of the artery performed within minutes. This test is performed routinely at the NYU Medical Center Noninvasive Vascular Laboratories.

Risk factors for stroke- heart disease, hypertension, smoking, elevated cholesterol levels and a family history of stroke — are present in many patients with vascular disease. The detection of carotid artery narrowing can be an important part of a program to prevent stroke. NYU Medical Center and the division of vascular surgery are currently spearheading a stroke prevention program which include screening of patients with appropriate risk factor by performing abbreviated carotid ultrasound, blood pressure tests and cardiac rhythm tests.

Through these programs, physicians at NYU Medical Center can detect, prevent, and treat factors that lead to stroke.