Carotid Artery Disease Treatment

With this condition, a fatty substance called plaque builds up in the carotid arteries in the neck, raising the risk of stroke. Our vascular experts perform a comprehensive evaluation to understand the extent of the carotid artery disease. Then we recommend the most appropriate care. We offer a full range of treatments, including:

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Medical Management

Your doctor may recommend medications to lower blood pressure or cholesterol. Blood thinners (anticoagulants) or clot-busting medications called thrombolytics can help lower your risk of stroke. With this type of monitoring, called watchful waiting, you will undergo regularly scheduled medical imaging tests. If your condition changes enough to require additional treatment, your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive procedure or surgery.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

When appropriate, we may recommend minimally invasive treatments. We use the most effective, least invasive procedure possible. Advantages of minimally invasive procedures include:

Smaller incisions
Less trauma, blood loss and pain
Fewer complications
Shorter hospital stay
Faster recovery times

Our vascular specialists are among the nation's most experienced in TCAR, transcarotid artery revascularization. During this procedure, your doctor makes a small incision in the neck to access the carotid artery, safely directs blood flow away from the brain and filters the blood for loosened plaque or clots. The surgeon places a stent (small mesh coil) to open the blocked artery and removes broken-up blood clots.

Transfemoral carotid angioplasty and stenting is a similar procedure. Instead of the neck, surgeons work through the femoral artery in the groin. They also use a balloon on the tip of a catheter (thin, hollow tube) to open the blocked artery and may place a stent.

Surgical Carotid Artery Disease Treatment

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