Carotid Stenting: What You Should Know About It

The two large arteries running along each side of your neck are called carotid arteries and are responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood to your brain. If they narrow, due to a condition called carotid artery stenosis, blood flow to your brain will be reduced, which could cause a stroke. Evergreen Park carotid stenting is a minimally invasive treatment designed to prevent this eventuality.

Carotid stenting works to reopen narrowed or clogged carotid arteries. If you are considering this treatment, here is everything you ought to know about it:

Who Needs Carotid Stenting?

Your doctor might recommend carotid stenting if you are diagnosed with carotid artery stenosis. This refers to a narrowing of one or both of your carotid arteries, which is often the result of plaque buildup in the artery. Usually, people who smoke, are obese, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol are at a high risk of carotid stenosis.

It is important to note that carotid stenting is an alte ative to surgery, otherwise called carotid endarterectomy. The former is less invasive as it only requires a small incision and requires a shorter recovery time.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Your healthcare provider will usually discuss the expectations of the procedure with you during a pre-procedure appointment. You can take advantage of this meeting to address all your questions and conce s. That said, here is what you can expect from a typical procedure:

• The hair around the treatment site will be shaved then a local anesthetic applied.
• You will be sedated through an IV line to keep you sleepy or relaxed during the procedure.
• Your healthcare provider will make an incision in the target blood vessel, usually in your groin.
• A long, thin wire will be inserted into the incision to act as a guide.
• A catheter with a small deflated balloon at the end will be inserted into the cut over the wire. It will then be threaded through the vessel into your carotid artery.
• The balloon at the end of the catheter will be inflated to stretch the area, and a mesh tube left to keep the area open.
• The balloon will be deflated, the catheter removed, and the incision site closed and bandaged.

After the Procedure

Due to the use of anesthesia, you might be drowsy or confused after the procedure. Your doctor will usually recommend that you spend a few hours in the recovery room as your vital signs are monitored. You may also be placed under pain medication.

When you get the okay to go home, you will need to have someone drive you. Your doctor will have mentioned some aftercare tips to help your recovery. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact them immediately:

• Spiking fever
• Worsening swelling or pain around the incision site
• Redness at the incision site
• Chest pain
• Leaking blood or fluid from the incision sit

Final Thoughts

The main and only goal of carotid stenting is to help prevent a stroke. If you have been diagnosed with carotid stenosis or are at a high risk of a stroke, you should discuss the possible benefits of the procedure with a specialist. Contact the expert team at Vascular Specialists in Tinley Park and Evergreen Park, Illinois, to schedule an appointment today.