Carotid Artery Disease

Vascular Treatments to Avoid the Risk of Strokes

The carotid artery is the vessel that supplies blood to the brain and face. Carotid artery stenosis is caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This is the build-up of plaque within the arteries. Carotid artery stenosis occurs when one or both of your carotid arteries become blocked or narrowed due to plaque buildup. Carotid artery stenosis is one of the major causes of stroke, TIA, or transient blindness (amaurosis fugax). Diagnosis and treatment of carotid artery stenosis can significantly reduce this risk.

Risk Factors for Carotid Artery Stenosis

• Diabetes
• Smoking Cigarettes
• High Cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure

Diagnosis

• Carotid bruits are sounds heard over the neck. This may indicate the building of plaque in the carotid artery. Diagnosis of a carotid bruit is made by listening over the neck with a stethoscope.
• Carotid duplex scan (Ultrasound)
• CTA (computerized tomographic angiogram) scan

Treatment

We can offer you several different treatment options, including the following:

• Anti-platelet medication: Aspirin and Plavix reduce the binding of platelets, which is a component of blood. They have beneficial effects in preventing strokes in patients for whom surgery or angioplasty is not indicated.
• Carotid endarterectomy: A standard, long-lasting, safe, and well-proven surgical procedure very effective in preventing stroke, TIA, or transient blindness by removing plaque from the artery. The procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia with minimal morbidity. Most patients go home the next day.
• Carotid artery stenting: This is a procedure where a stent is inserted into the carotid artery. The purpose of this stent is to open up the carotid artery to allow an increased amount of blood to reach the brain.
• Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR): This is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure that helps prevent future strokes. TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure, so that any plaque that may break off is diverted away from the brain.