Atherosclerosis of the Carotid Artery

Treatment for severe carotid stenosis involves eliminating the artery blockage. The most common way to do that is with a surgery called “carotid endarterectomy.” This is performed by making an incision along the front of the neck, opening the carotid artery and removing the plaque. This procedure is done to restore normal blood flow to the neck and brain to prevent a stroke. Click here to see a video of one of our carotid artery procedures.

What is atherosclerosis

The carotid arteries are large blood vessels on each side of the neck that carry fresh oxygenated blood to the brain (internal carotid artery) and the face (external carotid artery). The carotid arteries may become diseased with atherosclerosis, resulting in plaque that narrows the lumen of the artery, causing carotid artery stenosis. Risk factors in humans for carotid artery stenosis include age, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.  This is a major cause of Stroke.

Induction of neointimal hyperplasia and assessment of test drugs

At CBI, we offer an optimized and validated surgically-induced model of carotid artery neointimal hyperplasia in rats. This model is considered to be the gold standard the disease in man.  For this model, a restenosis injury is induced using a small Foley Balloon Catheter that is introduced into the carotid artery.  The catheter denudes the artery internal lining and over the following 2 weeks, pronounced neointimal hyperplasia develops.  The lesion is consistent with the disease in human patients.  Various test and control articles may be administered and their effects on the lesion characterized and measured.  At the end of the study, the arteries are collected and the neointimal hyperplasia is measured and evaluated histopathologically and morphometrically.  Immunohistochemistry and biochemical markers may also be employed.

Overall Goal

Reducing or improving the lesions so the blood can flow freely and not get clotted up and cause a stroke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to see a video of one of our carotid artery procedures.

 

– Contact Comparative Biosciences, Inc. to discuss a scientific study program for Carotid Endarterectomy Studies and Services.

Stan Johnson

Business Development Manager

888-994-4870