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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffFor most people, carotid angioplasty and stenting increase blood flow through the previously blocked artery and reduce the risk or symptoms of stroke.
Seek emergency medical care if your symptoms return, such as trouble walking or speaking, numbness on one side of your body, or other symptoms similar to those you had before your procedure, contact your doctor immediately.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting aren't appropriate treatment for everyone. Your doctor can determine if the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Because carotid angioplasty is newer than traditional carotid surgery, long-term results are still under investigation. Talk to your doctor about what results you might expect and what type of follow-up is needed after your procedure.
Lifestyle changes will help you maintain your good results:
- Don't smoke.
- Lower your cholesterol levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Control other conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
- Exercise regularly.
- Greelish JP, et al. Carotid artery stenting and its complications. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 9, 2011.
- Naggara O, et al. Anatomical and technical factors associated with stroke or death during carotid angioplasty and stenting: Results from the endarterectomy versus angioplasty in patients with severe symptomatic carotid stenosis (EVA - 3S) trial and systematic review. Stroke. 2011;42:380.
- Lin PH, et al. Carotid artery disease. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5024036&searchStr=percutaneous+transluminal+angioplasty+of+carotid+artery#5024036. Accessed May 9, 2011.
- Oran NT, et al. Carotid angioplasty and stenting in carotid artery stenosis: Neuroscience nursing implications. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. 2010;42:3.
- Angioplasty and vascular stenting. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angioplasty. Accessed May 8, 2011.
- Carotid artery disease. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/catd/catd_all.html. Accessed May 9, 2011.
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