para>This is an image of the arteries in the neck, leading to the brain. There is a callout showing 2 arteries, one has a blockage and decreased blood flow. The other has had the blockage removed, a small mesh stent has been placed and there is increased blood flow.View Original
This is an image of the arteries in the neck, leading to the brain. There is a callout showing 2 arteries, one has a blockage and decreased blood flow. The other has had the blockage removed, a small mesh stent has been placed and there is increased blood flow.
View Original
What will the results be?
- Better blood flow
- Lower risk of stroke
- Improved signs of reduced blood flow
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, Plavix, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. Do not stop these drugs until after you have checked with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- You may be given a dye called "contrast" for this procedure. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to dye or shellfish.
Your doctor may order: ‚
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- MRI or CT scan
- Angiogram
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- The staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. This will keep you awake enough to talk to the doctor during the procedure and stay pain free. The doctor may ask you to squeeze a rubber ball or follow other simple commands during the procedure.
- The area around your upper thigh (groin) will be cleaned and numbed. The doctor will make a small cut. Then, a small wire and tube (catheter) will be passed through a blood vessel. The catheter is moved through the blood vessel until it is in your carotid artery.
- The doctor will use x-rays to see where the wire and catheter are located. Dye is put through the catheter to be able to better see inside the blood vessels.
- You may feel a wave of warmth as the dye is injected.
- When the blockage is reached, your doctor will inflate a balloon at the end of the catheter to open the blockage. The balloon is deflated and the stent is put in the blood vessel. The doctor inflates the balloon one more time to stretch the stent to its full size. The stent is left in place to hold the artery open.
- The catheter and wire will be removed. The doctor may need to use a sealant or plug to close the opening in the groin. Your doctor will place clean bandages over the site. Pressure is applied to control bleeding.
- The procedure most often takes 1 to 2 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
You will go to the Recovery Room for a few hours. The staff will watch your heart rate and blood pressure closely. The staff will check for bleeding. Your doctor may give you drugs for pain. You will have to lie flat for a few hours. Then, you can begin to walk around with help. You will most likely have to stay overnight or longer. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Eat a healthy diet. Stay away from foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories.
- Keep your ideal body weight. If you weigh too much, lose weight. Talk with your doctor about a diet plan that would be right for you.
- Take all drugs needed to control cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other health problems.
- Talk with your doctor about starting a workout program. Often, people who have carotid artery disease also have heart problems. It may be a good idea to have a heart evaluation. This may include a stress test or heart cath.
- Lower your level of stress.
- If you smoke, stop.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent infection. Take as ordered, even if you are feeling better.
- Help with pain
- Prevent blood clots
- Lower cholesterol
What problems could happen?
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Brain damage
- Blood clot
- Artery becomes blocked again
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Harm to kidneys in people with kidney problems
- Seizures (rare)
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of 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 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
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Lots of sweating
- Upset stomach and throwing up that you cannot control with the drugs you were given
- Pain you cannot control with the drugs you have been given
- Trouble moving your bowels or emptying your bladder
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stents/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carotidendarterectomy/pages/alternatives.aspx ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-06-01 ‚
List_set bdysylist
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 provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚