Carotid Artery Stenosis and Stroke
Carotid stenosis, or narrowing of the carotid arteries in the neck, is a leading cause of stroke. Vascular surgeons are the best specialists to assess carotid disease and determine which treatment option — surgery, minimally invasive procedures, or medical management — is best for each patient.
Carotid stenosis is diagnosed through an ultrasound procedure, a painless test that is used to determine if you have stenosis, its degree of severity, and your risk of stroke. Patients who have high-grade stenosis, or symptoms of stroke or mini-strokes should be seen by a vascular surgeon to decide how to best treat this condition.
Carotid endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure which directly removes the plaque blockage from the carotid artery. UPMC vascular surgeons have performed thousands of these procedures and patients generally are discharged the day after the procedure with little risk for long-term complications. This treatment is the standard of care for carotid disease.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting
Carotid angioplasty and stenting requires the surgeon to use catheters to open a blockage of the carotid artery in the neck through a puncture site in the groin. A stent also may be used to help hold the artery open. The technology of this minimally invasive procedure is still relatively new and extensive research is being done to determine what type of patient benefits from each procedure.
UPMC vascular surgeons are involved with large research studies and will help you decide which treatment is right for you.
For more information on carotid stenosis, visit the Society for Vascular Surgery’s website at www.vascularweb.org.