Carotid Kinking as a Cause of Cerebral Insufficiency

Abstract

With proper diagnosis based on history, physical findings, and arteriographic and pressure studies, it has become apparent that carotid artery kinking is a more common cause of strokes than was formerly believed. Because kinking is easily corrected, every patient with stroke deserves examination sufficient for determination of whether the carotid arteries are kinked. Two cases are cited in which multiple syncopal attacks were relieved when flow past a kink in the common carotid artery was reestablished.