Carotid artery surgery is a procedure to restore proper blood flow to the brain.
You have an artery on each side of your neck called the carotid artery. This artery brings needed blood to your brain and face.
The blood flow in this artery can become partly or totally blocked by fatty material called plaque. A partial blockage is called carotid artery stenosis (narrowing). A blockage in your carotid artery can reduce the blood supply to your brain. A stroke can occur if your brain does not get enough blood.
There are two invasive ways to treat a carotid artery that has plaque buildup in it. One is surgery called endarterectomy. The other is a procedure called angioplasty with stent placement.
During carotid endarterectomy:
There are several ways your doctor may know you have narrowing or blockage in your carotid artery. Two common ones are:
Your doctor will need to do one or more tests to see how blocked one or both of your carotid arteries are.
Treatment options not involving surgery that your doctor will discuss with you are:
Surgery or angioplasty to remove the buildup in your carotid artery may be done if the carotid artery is narrowed by more than 70%, or if the narrowing is between 50% and 70% and your doctor feels that you have a very high risk of having a stroke.
If you have had a stroke, your doctor will consider whether treating your blocked artery with surgery is safe for you. Your doctor will compare your risk of having another stroke if you do not have surgery with the risk of having serious problems from the surgery itself.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting is more likely to be used when carotid endarterectomy would not be safe.
The risks for any anesthesia are:
The risks for any surgery are:
Risks of carotid surgery are:
Your doctor will do a thorough physical exam and several medical tests.
Always tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
During the 2 weeks before your surgery:
Do NOT drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery, including water.
On the day of your surgery:
You may have a drain in your neck that goes into your incision. It will drain fluid that builds up in the area. It will be removed within a day.
After surgery, your doctor may want you to stay in the hospital overnight so that nurses can watch you for any signs of bleeding, stroke, or poor blood flow to your brain. You may be able to go home the same day if your operation is done early in the day and you are doing well.
Carotid artery surgery may help lower your chance of having a stroke. But you will need to make lifestyle changes to help prevent plaque buildup, blood clots, and other problems in your carotid arteries over time. You may need to change your diet and start an exercise program, if your doctor tells you exercise is safe for you.
Carotid endarterectomy; CEA; Carotid angioplasty and stenting; CAS; Endarterectomy - carotid artery; Angioplasty - carotid artery; Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty - carotid artery; PTA - carotid artery; Angioplasty - carotid artery