Carotid angioplasty and stenting

Who Needs Carotid Angioplasty And Stenting?

Carotid angioplasty and stenting are highly recommended treatment options for stroke and to prevent stroke attacks. It is suggested for the person:

• With more than 70% of blockage, mainly if they had a stroke or stroke symptoms and are not fit for surgery due to ongoing health conditions or surgery like severe heart or lung disease or had undergone radiation therapy for neck cancer
• If a person already had a carotid endarterectomy and is facing new narrowing after surgery (restenosis)
• In a person where stenosis location is hard to access with an endarterectomy

How Is Carotid Angioplasty And stenting Perfomed?

This surgery involves temporarily inserting and inflating a tiny balloon into the clogged artery to widen the region so as enhance blood flow to the brain. Carotid angioplasty is mostly combined with another procedure called stenting, where a small metal stent is placed in the clogged artery. The stent supports keeping the artery open and reduces the chance of it narrowing again. This procedure is used when conventional carotid surgery (carotid endarterectomy) isn’t feasible, or it's considered very risky.