Carotid.com: Carotid Artery Disease Treatment Options

What is Carotid Artery Disease (CAD)?

Treatment Options

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Once carotid artery disease has been diagnosed, the goal is to reduce the risk of stroke. The doctor wants to prevent the disease from getting worse and, if necessary, restore adequate blood flow through the carotid artery. He/she will determine what is medically appropriate for your situation.

Carotid Artery Stenting
Carotid Artery Stenting is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a blockage (stenosis) in the carotid artery. During this procedure, the physician makes a small incision into an artery in the groin, arm or wrist. A guide catheter - a small, hollow tube with a guide wire inside it - is then inserted into the artery and used to deliver devices¹ that will treat the stenosis². At the end of the procedure, all devices except the stent are removed. The stent remains in place to keep the artery open and to help prevent future narrowing.

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Brochure: Understanding Carotid Artery Stenting

Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure used to treat carotid artery disease. An incision of several inches is made in the neck to expose the carotid artery. The surgeon opens the carotid artery at the location of the blockage and manually removes the plaque in the artery. After removing the plaque, the incisions in the artery and the neck are closed, completing the procedure.

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¹ Including guide wires, balloons, embolic protection device, stents
² "Stenosis" is the narrowing, or blockage, of a vessel