How To Treat And Prevent Carotid Stenosis

Carotid Angioplasty And Stenting

Carotid angioplasty and stenting is done when there is a carotid artery blockage of seventy percent or greater. This procedure is ideal for individuals who have had a stroke before and are not stable enough to have surgery performed in the neck. Sometimes the angioplasty and stenting are done when another blockage develops after a carotid endarterectomy. Sometimes this approach is used in cases where the carotid blockage is in a location that is too difficult to perform an endarterectomy on. In this procedure, a catheter with a small balloon attached is inserted into the affected carotid artery and inflated. This allows the artery to be widened and for blood to freely flow into the brain. Then a stent is placed in the artery to hold it in place so the artery does not narrow again. A stent is a metal coil that fits comfortably into the artery. While this procedure is also successful in the short term, the plaque can begin to build up after the procedure again in the carotid artery. Usually, patients are put on blood thinners after the stent placing to prevent blood clots.

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