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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffCarotid angioplasty and stenting may be an appropriate stroke treatment or stroke prevention option if:
- You have a history of heart problems, such as congestive heart failure, unstable angina or a failed stress test
- You have a carotid artery with a 70 percent blockage or more, especially if you've had a stroke or stroke symptoms, and you aren't in good enough health to undergo surgery — for example, if you have severe heart or lung disease or had radiation for neck tumors
- You've already had a carotid endarterectomy and are experiencing new narrowing after surgery (restenosis)
- The location of the narrowing (stenosis) is difficult to access with endarterectomy
In some cases, traditional carotid surgery (carotid endarterectomy) may be advised to remove the buildup of plaques (fatty material) that is narrowing the artery. In other cases, angioplasty and stenting may be a better option.
References
- 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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