Carotid Endarterectomy

Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis, occurs when the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the brain, become narrowed. The narrowing of the carotid arteries is most commonly related to atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque, which is a deposit of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin in the inner lining of an artery). If a large part of your brain is affected by this blockage it is called an ischemic stroke. If a clot or plaque blocks only a tiny artery in the brain, it may cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. These are considered a warning sign that you are at danger for a stroke and should seek treatment immediately

Carotid artery disease can be treated with lifestyle modification, medications or surgery. One of the most common and safest vascular surgeries to treat this condition is a carotid endartectomy. In a carotid endarterectomy, the damaged or thickened inner lining of your carotid artery is removed in order to restore blood flow. The surgery may be performed under general or local anesthesia and generally doesn't take longer than two hours. During the surgery the plaque deposit is peeled out by removing the inner lining of the diseased section of your artery containing the plaque. Often, a patch is used to widen the artery as part of the procedure. The patch material used can be your own vein, usually from the leg, or a variety of synthetic materials depending upon your particular circumstance.

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