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Carotid Artery Stenosis and Stroke

Carotid artery 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 you.

Diagnosing Carotid Artery Stenosis

UPMC's vascular surgeons use ultrasound, a painless imaging test, to determine:

  • If you have carotid artery stenosis
  • The degree of severity
  • Your risk of stroke

If you have high-grade stenosis, or symptoms of stroke or mini-strokes, you should see a vascular surgeon to decide how to best treat this condition.

» Call 412-802-3333 to make an appointment with a vascular surgeon at UPMC.

Treating Carotid Artery Stenosis

Carotid endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy is the standard treatment for carotid disease. It's a surgical procedure that directly removes the plaque blockage from the carotid artery.

If you need a carotid endarterectomy, UPMC vascular surgeons have performed thousands of these procedures. Patients generally are discharged the day after the procedure with little risk for long-term complications.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting

Carotid angioplasty and stenting is a minimally invasive procedure that's still relatively new. It requires vascular surgeons to use catheters to open a blockage of the carotid artery in the neck through a puncture site in the groin. They may also use a stent to help hold the artery open.

UPMC vascular surgeons are involved in extensive research to determine what type of patient benefits from each procedure and will help you decide which treatment is right for you.

» To make an appointment with a vascular surgeon, call 412-802-3333.

For more information on carotid stenosis, visit the Society for Vascular Surgery’s website.

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