At the Montefiore Einstein Center for Comprehensive Stroke Care, our multidisciplinary team of stroke neurologists, vascular surgeons, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, and pathologists continue to advance our research and experience in managing carotid webs and are studying one of the largest hospital-based populations of patients with carotid web related strokes, improving our understanding of this recently discovered stroke risk-factor. We are investigating the pathogenesis of carotid webs and how these web-like structures form in the carotid arteries, major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, and cause ischemic stroke. Our stroke specialists are also involved in research to better understand what it is about these “webs” that make healthy younger women more susceptible to stroke than men. 

Our team has successfully treated numerous patients with carotid webs, helping them live healthier lives without an added risk of stroke. Carotid webs are rare and under-recognized thin, membrane-like formations that can partially obstruct blood flow, create clots, and potentially lead to ischemic strokes. Treatment for symptomatic carotid webs includes carotid revascularization with carotid endarterectomy and stenting.

In 2021, we published the largest US epidemiologic study at the time to assess the prevalence of carotid webs. We found a carotid web prevalence of 1.6% in our urban, North American cohort, and there was a high incidence of ipsilateral anterior circulation stroke, the majority of which were cryptogenic, among our patients with carotid webs. This study epitomizes the types of essential studies that require the broad based resources of our NIH StrokeNet Consortium.