A brief history of carotid artery disease and carotid endarterectomy

Abstract

Introduction: The authors discuss the history of carotid disease and injuries and focus on historical milestones of carotid endarterectomy worldwide and in Bohemia.

Results: The first part discusses the carotid artery and ischemic stroke, beginning with Hippocrates’ description of apoplexy. It then highlights Willis’s discovery of the collateral circulation, followed by the 19^th-century thromboembolic theory of ischemic stroke caused by carotid artery occlusion, which is associated with the work of Wirchow and Chiari. Then, in the 1950s, C. M. Fisher visionarily pointed out the possible surgical management of carotid stenosis in the prevention of stroke. In the second part, carotid ligature, treatments for arterial injuries are mentioned, starting with A. Paré in 1552, to ligature of the extracranial carotid artery for intracranial aneurysm by V. Horsley in 1885. The third part describes the history of reconstructive carotid surgery, especially carotid endarterectomy worldwide, with the priorities of Carrea, Eastcott and DeBakey in the early 1950s. The priority in Bohemia belongs to Jaroslav Lhotka, who published his results in 1962.

Conclusion: The authors summarize the history of carotid disease, especially carotid endarterectomy, worldwide and in Bohemia.

doi: 10.48095/ccrvch2025235