The diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis is usually made by the doctor hearing a bruit in the neck or when an ultrasound is performed to evaluate for possible causes of stroke. Carotid artery stenosis is a narrowing that affects one of the main arteries of the brain and is responsible for a large number of strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability in adults. The purpose of treatment of carotid artery stenosis is to reduce the risk of future stroke.
