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Carotid Endarterectomy for TIA and Stroke
Carotid endarterectomy is surgery to remove plaque buildup in the carotid arteries. During a carotid endarterectomy:
- A small incision is made in the neck just below the level of the jaw. The narrowed carotid artery is exposed.
- The blood flow through the narrowed area may be temporarily rerouted (shunted). Rerouting is done by placing a tube in the vessel above and below the narrowing. Blood flows around the narrowed area during the surgery.
- The artery is opened and the plaque is carefully removed, often in one piece.
- A vein from the leg may be sewn (grafted) on the carotid artery to widen or repair the vessel.
- The shunt is removed, and the artery and skin incisions are closed.
For more information about making the decision to have surgery, see:
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 7, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | |
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