Why is this procedure done?
Carotid arteries are blood vessels in your neck. They carry blood and oxygen from your heart to your brain. Sometimes, these blood vessels become partly or fully blocked. There is a buildup of a fatty material called plaque. You may have problems getting blood flow to your brain if these blood vessels are blocked. Sometimes, small pieces of the fatty material break off. This may cause a stroke. ‚
You need surgery on one or both of your carotid arteries. This is a carotid endarterectomy. With this procedure, the blocked areas of these blood vessels are taken out and you will have better blood flow through these vessels to your brain. ‚
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What will the results be?
- Better blood flow to the brain
- Lower risk of strokes
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you. Ask about what drugs you should or should not take.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before the procedure
- If you need to take any of your drugs the day of your procedure
Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
- Angiography to see the inside of your carotid arteries
- CT scan
- Lab tests
- Ultrasound
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe.
- Your doctor will make a cut into your neck. Your doctor will then open the blocked part of your carotid artery.
- Your doctor will remove the blockage in your artery. Your doctor may use an artificial graft or part of some other blood vessel to replace the blocked part.
- The blood vessel is checked for leaks. The cut is closed with stitches and a clean bandage is put on the wound.
- Blood now flows through your artery to your brain.
- The procedure may take 2 to 4 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will be taken to a Recovery Room after surgery. The staff will watch you closely.
- You may have a drain in your neck at the cut site. This will come out in a day or so.
- Your doctor may order tests to check the blood flow in your neck.
- You will feel pain or stiffness in the area where the cut was made. Your doctor will give drugs for this.
- You may have to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut sites. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor may have you see a cardiologist or rehab specialist.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Keep a normal weight. If you are too heavy, lose weight.
- Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and high blood sugar under control.
- Eat a heart healthy diet. Eat foods low in fats, sugars, and salt. Eat high-fiber foods which include fruits and vegetables. Your doctor can help you make a plan about the changes in your diet.
- Avoid smoking and beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Your doctor can help you learn about how to stop smoking or drinking gradually.
What problems could happen?
- Allergic reactions to drugs
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Heart attack
- Infection
- Injury to the carotid artery
- Nerve injury in the site where the procedure is done
- Stroke
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300432.pdf ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/carend/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Carotidendarterectomy/Pages/Risks.aspx ‚
Society for Vascular Surgery ‚
http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/carotid-endarterectomy.aspx ‚
Stroke Center ‚
http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/stroke-treatment/carotid-endarterectomy/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚