Tanashyan M.M., Reshetov I.V., Balakhonova T.V., Lukyanchikov V.A., Antonova K.V., Raskurazhev A.A., Kuznetsov M.R., Chupin A.V., Usachev D.Yu. Systemic and interdisciplinary approach to atherosclerosis of the great arteries with a focus on the brachiocephalic area – based on the results of an interdisciplinary consensus reached at the 13th Congress on Diseases of the Head and Neck on June 5, 2025. Head and Neck. Russian Journal. 2026;14(3):159–168
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25792/HN.2026.14.3.159-168
Atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries is a systemic pathological process that plays a leading role in the development of ischemic stroke and chronic cerebrovascular disease. This expert consensus, developed with a multidisciplinary approach, summarizes current data on the pathophysiology of cerebral atherosclerosis, describes contemporary diagnostic and risk stratification tools, and analyzes the latest 2024–2025 recommendations on stroke prevention, highlighting interdisciplinary differences in invasive and conservative management strategies for asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid stenosis. It is emphasized that optimal stroke prevention requires personalized pharmacotherapy, active correction of risk factors, consideration of cerebro-metabolic health, and clinical decision-making within a multidisciplinary team. Promising directions in this field include the implementation of methods based on the integration of artificial intelligence, proteomics, and other omics technologies for more accurate risk assessment and personalized prevention.
Keywords: brachiocephalic artery atherosclerosis; ischemic stroke; carotid stenosis; risk stratification; multidisciplinary approach; stroke prevention
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. The work was completed without sponsorship