Endarterectomy for carotid artery disease
Find a heart specialistIf you’ve been diagnosed with carotid artery disease, your doctor may recommend carotid endarterectomy to surgically remove plaque from the arteries. At Aurora, we’re here to help you get better, from preparing for surgery to overseeing your recovery and future health.
What is carotid artery disease?
Your carotid artery runs along both sides of your neck and carries blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease occurs when one or both of these arteries narrow or get blocked. When this happens, your brain may not get enough blood and you may be at risk of having a stroke or other medical problems.
What is carotid endarterectomy?
A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes plaque from your carotid arteries. This procedure helps restore normal blood flow to your brain, reducing your stroke risk.
Like most surgeries, this procedure has potential risks such as a possible reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection or nerve injury that could cause numbness to your face or tongue. Although rare, serious complications such as a stroke or death could occur.
Factors that increase the risk of complications include being female or older than age 75, or having diabetes or another serious medical condition.
Prior to surgery, we may order tests for you including:
- Carotid angiography: In this procedure, we examine the large blood vessels in your neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to your brain. It also helps us look for problems like aneurysms and blockages.
- Carotid ultrasound: With this test, we check the arteries in your neck for blockages, which could potentially interfere with blood flow to your brain and increase your stroke risk.
- CT scan: This test uses sound waves to show the speed and direction of blood flow through your carotid arteries and creates an image of the inside of your artery.
- MRI: This test uses a large magnet and radio waves to create pictures of your carotid arteries.
You'll also see your primary care doctor or cardiologist for personalized guidelines to prepare for surgery including:
- Refraining from eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before your procedure
- How to get ready for your procedure such as any medications you may need to stop taking
- Answering your questions and concerns
Typically this procedure lasts about two hours. You’ll receive general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep before the procedure starts. You’ll be fully monitored with a blood pressure cuff, heart monitor and pulse oximeter, as well as receive oxygen and IVs.
Your surgeon will make an incision in your neck and remove the plaque that has built up in the carotid artery. Once the plaque is removed, your surgeon will stitch the artery.
After the procedure, most likely you’ll stay in the hospital for a day or two. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home.
If you experience a severe headache, signs of stroke or swelling in the neck, get emergency care immediately.
You may have a sore neck for a few days or some numbness to your chin. Ask your doctor about taking medication for the pain. Your doctor also may prescribe aspirin to reduce your risk of developing a blood clot.
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