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Understanding your risk of carotid artery disease
People at highest risk of carotid artery disease are those with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, clogged arteries, and those who smoke. Additionally, family history, lack of exercise, and age can put one at risk for carotid artery disease.
Knowing the symptoms of stroke
You don’t want to ignore even the smallest of stroke symptoms as effects could last from minutes to several years. If you suspect a stroke, remember to act F.A.S.T:
- F - Face drooping
- A - Arm weakness
- S - Slurred speech
- T - Time to call 9-1-1
- Vision loss
- Loss of balance
Reaching a diagnosis
Carotid artery disease develops slowly, often without any symptoms. Fortunately, physicians can screen patients using simple, non-invasive techniques including ultrasound. Carotid artery blockages can also be found when a physician hears a sound through a stethoscope placed on the neck. The sound is caused by blood flowing past the carotid artery blockage. However, in some patients, the first sign of the presence of a blockage in the carotid artery is a stroke. When a patient is admitted to the hospital with a stroke, one of the initial tests is to check if there is carotid artery blockage.
Treating carotid artery disease
ENROUTE™ Transcarotid Neuroprotection System (TCAR)
TCAR is a carotid artery procedure that carries the same low stroke rate as the traditional surgical option, carotid endarterectomy (CEA). TCAR is a less invasive approach that reduces the risk of heart attack and nerve injury. TCAR also reduces the time required to perform the procedure and the amount of time the average patient needs to spend recovering in the hospital.
Medical Therapy
If you caught your carotid artery disease early, your physician may suggest medical therapy to manage your carotid artery disease medications. Your doctor may prescribe medicine (antiplatelets) to help stop cells in the blood from sticking together and forming a clot. A blood clot can lead to a stroke. Additionally, medications that help to control hypertension and plaque (statins) may be prescribed. If you have diabetes, your physician may change your medications to help reduce your blood sugar levels.
Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting (TF-CAS)
Transfemoral carotid artery stenting is another carotid artery blockage treatment option for patients at risk for open surgery. This alternative treatment option allows your physician to complete the procedure through a tube placed into an artery in your upper leg. A wire device is inserted in an artery in your leg and is guided to your carotid artery. A mesh-like tube called a stent is placed to help brace back plaque and prevent future strokes.
Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)
Carotid endarterectomy, also known as CEA, is a surgical procedure where fatty buildup (plaque) is removed from the inside of your carotid artery to restore normal blood flow to your brain and reduce your risk of stroke.
Shared decision making
Your physician will be able to help you explore these treatment options based on your diagnosis.
Find an ENROUTE TCAR Physician Near You
Disclaimer:
This information is compiled by Boston Scientific ("BSC") as a reference tool for locating physicians who have used the ENROUTE™ Transcarotid Neuroprotection System. This database may not include all physicians that use or have used BSC's products. No physician has been paid or received a fee to be included in this database.
BSC does not verify or monitor the license, credentials, accreditations or qualifications of any physician listed in the database, and is not responsible for the medical advice of the physicians included in this database. BSC is not responsible and shall not be liable to you or others for any decision made or action taken by you in reliance on this information obtained from this database.
Inclusion of a physician in the database does not mean that BSC endorses or recommends such a physician. Similarly, the fact that a physician is not included in the database does not mean that physician is not qualified.
The results are listed by proximity to the search criteria.