Carotid endarterectomy.

This lecture presents one of the most often vascular surgical procedures – carotid endarterectomy. This type of surgery is performed to prevent stroke caused by atherosclerotic plaque at the common carotid artery bifurcation and, most important, internal carotid artery. Before we will discuss the anatomy of this region, it is necessary to mention that typical symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of carotid artery‘s partial or total occlusion include:  Episodes of dizziness  Loss of function in the hand or leg opposite the side of the lesion  Episodic loss of vision in one eye  Transient aphasia (see explanation of this condition below)  Confusion with temporary loss of consciousness From all symptoms that were mentioned above I will spend a little bit more time to explain transient aphasia because the meanings of others are obvious.