Carotid angioplasty and stenting are tried-and-true medical procedures with excellent results. These surgical operations treat or lessen the risk of a deadly stroke. The blood vessels involved are the carotid arteries-main blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.
The carotid arteries may be partially or fully blocked with plaque that slows or obstructs blood flow to the brain, causing carotid artery disease. Consequently, the plaque may get detached and block a different artery. To treat the obstructed or narrowed artery, there are several surgical operations that can be employed:
While we have covered CEA and TCAR options in previous blog posts, let's have a more comprehensive look at Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting.
Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting (CAS) are minimally-invasive surgical operations with a shorter recovery period and are generally recommended for patients who qualify as high risk. Some factors that may favor stenting include:
Generally, patients with less than 60% of carotid artery obstruction will be treated with lifestyle changes and prescription medication only. Those with a 60-69% blood vessel obstruction may be recommended for either Carotid Endarterectomy, TCAR, or Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting. These surgical operations will also be recommended to the patient in medical cases where a blockage is 70%. As always, the best procedure for you should be discussed with your vascular doctor.
Risks you may encounter depend on your overall health and the severity of your condition, among other factors. The potential issues involved in this procedure include:
Your caregiver may direct you not to eat or drink anything for a couple of hours before the surgery and other instructions. It is imperative to inform your caregiver about:
Before the surgical operation, you may need some medical tests such as:
You can inquire from your caregiver about what to anticipate during the procedure. This surgical operation is done percutaneously (via needle-puncture) by a board-certified surgeon proficient in vascular medicine and a team of specialized nurses.
After the surgical operation, you may need to spend a few hours in a recovery room where the caregivers keep an eye on your vital signs. If you have any of the following, call your caregiver:
If left untreated, carotid artery disease (CAD) can lead to a TIA or stroke, the fifth leading cause of death in the US. Addressing issues around carotid artery stenosis immediately is critical to leading a healthy and prolonged life.