Carotid endarterectomy is an operation performed to prevent complete blockage of the carotid artery, the largest artery in the neck.
This is because narrowing of the carotid artery, if not treated in time, can cause serious brain complications. Blood clots can easily form in narrowed areas, the artery can become blocked, or a clot from there can block a smaller vessel in the brain and cause death.
Timely diagnosis and treatment (surgery or a stent) are essential to prevent complications.
When is endarterectomy performed?
Endarterectomy is performed when the narrowing is advanced enough to pose a risk of stroke and has caused temporary or permanent paralysis, blindness or speech problems.
That is, if the person has had a mild stroke within the last 6 months and there is 70% narrowing of the carotid artery;
It is also performed in people with 80% carotid narrowing who have no symptoms but are at risk of stroke.
The patient can return to normal life within a few weeks after the operation.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.