What is Carotid Artery Stenting?
The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels in the neck that carry blood to the brain. A stroke happens when part of the brain does not get enough blood flow. Plaque can build up in the walls of the carotid arteries and narrow them. Unstable plaque can break off and block blood vessels in the brain. Carotid artery stenting is a minimally invasive treatment to prevent stroke. A flexible metallic tube called a stent is used to cover the plaque and open the artery.
How is Carotid Artery Stenting done?
You will receive medicine to relax you. The clinician will numb the skin of your wrist or the top of the thigh. They will slide a thin tube through a pinhole in the skin and into the blood vessel. They will use x-rays to guide the tube to the carotid artery. They will open the artery with a small balloon then place the stent to keep it open. The clinician will remove the tube and cover the pinhole in the skin with a bandage.
Carotid Artery Stenting
1. After numbing the skin, a small tube is placed into the blood vessel at the top of the thigh (shown) or wrist.
2. Using moving x-rays, the clinician will guide a tube to the carotid artery and use a balloon to open the narrowed or blocked artery and leave a mesh metal tube to keep the artery open.
3. After, they remove the tube and put a bandage over the pinhole in the skin
What are the risks?
Carotid artery stenting is generally a safe procedure when done by a specialist
4 to 7 out of 100 people who already had a stroke or stroke-related symptoms will have a new stroke during carotid artery stenting. The risk is lower for people without symptoms before the procedure.
Less than 1 in 100 people will experience
serious bleeding
allergic reactions
heart attack
damage to the treated blood vessel
What are the alternatives?
Your treatment options depend on your preference, overall health and unique conditions.
Alternative 1 Medicines and lifestyle modifications to prevent the plaque from growing. This option avoids the risks of a procedure. It may not be enough to prevent a stroke once the plaque is large or causes symptoms. You will have about a 1-2 in 100 chance of a major stroke each year. This risk is higher if you have already had symptoms or a stroke from the plaque.
Alternative 2 Surgery to remove the plaque called a “carotid endarterectomy.” Surgery has a slightly lower risk of stroke during the procedure if you had symptoms beforehand. This option leaves a scar on the neck and recovery is longer. It also has a slightly higher risk of damage to nerves and other parts of the neck.