CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE TREATMENT

Atherosclerosis is a disease that is related to aging and other co morbidities. Atherosclerosis affects all the vessels in the body. When it affects carotid artery and leads to a significant stenosis it can increase the risk of a stroke.

Inflammation within the atherosclerotic plaque leads to its instability which increases the chance of embolism. Tiny pieces of the plaque can break off, travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Symptoms can include a wide spectrum from feeling lightheaded to transient or permanent blindness in the eye to having a full blown stroke. Many times a transient ischemic attack (TIA) can precede the Stroke. TIA is a mini stroke or a warning that a bigger event is going to occur.

Carotid endarterectomy is an open surgery to remove the plaque in the carotid artery.

Carotid stenting is a minimally invasive treatment option to dilate the narrowed artery with a balloon and then to place a stent to keep the artery open. This is performed to reduce the risk of stroke.

This is an angiographic procedure performed from the femoral artery/artery in the groin or the radial artery/ artery in the wrist. Catheters are used to access the radial artery and filter devices are used to prevent embolic complications during the procedure. A balloon is used to expand the narrowed portion and a stent is deployed at the narrowed portion to keep the artery open.