Carotid Artery Surgery
The carotid arteries, located on either side of the neck, provide blood to the brain. When the artery becomes partially (50% to 70%, depending on patient) or completely blocked with plaque, the flow is reduced, increasing chances of stroke. Stenosis, or narrowing of the artery, can be the cause of plaque build-up or blot clot. There are two types of clots: embolism, a clot that is unattached and can travel to block smaller veins, and thrombus, a clot that does not move, attaching itself to the plaque. The two surgical procedures used to clear the fatty blockage are surgery (called endarterectomy), or angioplasty (insertion of a “stent” to open the vein).
Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), a less-invasive way to repair the blockage in your carotid artery, may be an option, depending on your particular medical case. Local anesthetic is used to numb the groin, then an incision is made in the artery. The surgeon inserts a flexible tube (catheter) into the incision and threads the catheter through the femoral artery, up through the aorta to the blockage in the carotid artery. A balloon (angioplasty) or wire mesh tube (stent) are guided up to the blockage and expanded to open the vein. The balloon is then removed, but the stent, if employed, is left in place.
Best Florida Cardiovascular Care
Whether local or general anesthesia is chosen, Florida cardiovascular anesthesiologists at Ocala Heart Institute carefully monitors you every step of the way throughout the procedure and afterward. The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) studied the benefits and disadvantages of endarterectomy, concluding that one major stroke can be prevented for two years for every six patients treated.
Even the most successful surgery can only do so much without patient cooperation, however. Therefore, we treat the whole person, emotional and spiritual, as well as physical, encouraging lifestyle changes, including stress reduction, exercise and dietary modifications, to help prevent plaque buildup, blood clots, and other problems in your carotid arteries in the future.
Meet with our Florida Heart Surgeons
When considering Florida heart surgery, we urge you to meet the doctors at the Ocala Heart Institute to learn how a disciplined, multifaceted team approach will work for you.
