Carotid endarterectomy can reduce your risk of stroke
Blood travels to your brain through two carotid arteries on each side of your neck. Over time, plaque buildup can narrow the arteries and reduce or block blood flow to your brain. This condition, called carotid artery disease or carotid artery stenosis, increases your risk of experiencing a stroke.
A type of vascular surgery called carotid endarterectomy can be used to treat carotid artery disease and significantly reduce your risk of a stroke. It can also help prevent future strokes if you’ve ever had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.
Treating carotid artery disease with carotid endarterectomy
A type of peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, occurs when atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the arteries—narrows or blocks the carotids, leading to a stroke by disrupting blood flow to the brain. In other cases, if a blood clot forms from plaque in a carotid artery, it may break away and block an artery in the brain, which can cause a stroke.
During a carotid endarterectomy procedure, your surgeon removes the plaque in the arteries to restore blood flow to the brain and help reduce your risk of future strokes.
Who is a candidate for carotid endarterectomy?
If your provider thinks you may have carotid artery disease, they will check your carotid arteries to determine the extent of the blockage(s). Carotid endarterectomy may be right for you if you have a blockage of at least 50% and have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or if you have a blockage of 70% or more, regardless of symptoms or complications.
Other procedures for carotid artery disease
There is another procedure that may be an option for you other than carotid endarterectomy surgery:
- Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), where your surgeon uses special equipment to reverse blood flow and inserts a stent to keep your narrowed artery open
Benefits of carotid endarterectomy
Treatments for carotid artery disease improve blood flow to your brain and reduce your risk of having a stroke.
You can improve the results of your carotid endarterectomy and further reduce your risk of stroke by making the following healthy lifestyle changes after your procedure:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
What to expect from carotid endarterectomy surgery
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Before surgery
Before surgery
Your surgeon will perform a physical exam and may order tests to ensure you’re healthy enough to have surgery. To help you stay safe during and after carotid endarterectomy, you’ll need to take some important steps in the days and weeks leading up to the surgery. Your surgical team may recommend that you:
- Quit smoking
- Stop eating and drinking just before the surgery, according to your surgeon’s instructions
- Stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, as directed by your surgeon
Ask your surgeon which medicines you can take on the day of surgery. Be sure you know when to arrive at the hospital—a prompt arrival helps the process run smoothly—and where to go when you arrive. It’s a good idea to ask a friend or family member to accompany you so they can drive you to the hospital and take you home. You may be able to go home the same day after your procedure, but be sure to pack essential items for a hospital stay in case you need to spend the night.
-
During surgery
During surgery
Carotid endarterectomy usually takes around two hours and is considered open surgery. That means your vascular surgeon will make an incision in your neck to access and treat your carotid arteries.
Here’s what happens when you have the procedure:
- You’ll receive general anesthesia to send you to sleep or a local anesthetic to numb the surgical area.
- Your surgeon will make a cut in the side of your neck to reach the narrowed carotid artery.
- Your surgeon places a catheter (a small tube) in the artery to divert blood around the blockage.
- After opening the artery, your surgeon removes the plaques to eliminate the carotid artery blockage.
- Once the plaques are out, your surgeon closes the artery using part of a vein or a synthetic patch.
-
After surgery
After surgery
It is standard practice to stay overnight for observation so the team can monitor you for potential complications. It is common to stay overnight for observation so the team can monitor you for potential complications. In that case, you’ll likely go home the next day.
You can give yourself the best chance of a smooth recovery by following your surgeon’s instructions for when to resume normal activities, including working and driving. If your incision shows signs of infection, notify your surgeon right away.
Be sure to attend your follow-up appointment, where you may have a carotid ultrasound so your surgeon can check how well blood is flowing through the carotid artery.
Your throat may be sore after surgery, but it will improve. In the meantime, avoid eating foods that might irritate your throat. Your incision will be numb, but the feeling will return over time.
Before surgery
Your surgeon will perform a physical exam and may order tests to ensure you’re healthy enough to have surgery. To help you stay safe during and after carotid endarterectomy, you’ll need to take some important steps in the days and weeks leading up to the surgery. Your surgical team may recommend that you:
- Quit smoking
- Stop eating and drinking just before the surgery, according to your surgeon’s instructions
- Stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, as directed by your surgeon
Ask your surgeon which medicines you can take on the day of surgery. Be sure you know when to arrive at the hospital—a prompt arrival helps the process run smoothly—and where to go when you arrive. It’s a good idea to ask a friend or family member to accompany you so they can drive you to the hospital and take you home. You may be able to go home the same day after your procedure, but be sure to pack essential items for a hospital stay in case you need to spend the night.
During surgery
Carotid endarterectomy usually takes around two hours and is considered open surgery. That means your vascular surgeon will make an incision in your neck to access and treat your carotid arteries.
Here’s what happens when you have the procedure:
- You’ll receive general anesthesia to send you to sleep or a local anesthetic to numb the surgical area.
- Your surgeon will make a cut in the side of your neck to reach the narrowed carotid artery.
- Your surgeon places a catheter (a small tube) in the artery to divert blood around the blockage.
- After opening the artery, your surgeon removes the plaques to eliminate the carotid artery blockage.
- Once the plaques are out, your surgeon closes the artery using part of a vein or a synthetic patch.
After surgery
It is standard practice to stay overnight for observation so the team can monitor you for potential complications. It is common to stay overnight for observation so the team can monitor you for potential complications. In that case, you’ll likely go home the next day.
You can give yourself the best chance of a smooth recovery by following your surgeon’s instructions for when to resume normal activities, including working and driving. If your incision shows signs of infection, notify your surgeon right away.
Be sure to attend your follow-up appointment, where you may have a carotid ultrasound so your surgeon can check how well blood is flowing through the carotid artery.
Your throat may be sore after surgery, but it will improve. In the meantime, avoid eating foods that might irritate your throat. Your incision will be numb, but the feeling will return over time.
Find a location near you
If you need a carotid endarterectomy, you can trust the expertise of our teams at specialized locations across Central and North Texas. After your surgery, you can receive comprehensive follow-up care at one of our many convenient locations.
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - McKinney
5268 W University Dr , McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - McKinney
5252 W University Dr Highway 380 at Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lake Pointe
6800 Scenic Dr , Rowlett, TX, 75088
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Centennial
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Frisco
5601 Warren Pkwy , Frisco, TX, 75034
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Sunnyvale
231 S Collins Rd , Sunnyvale, TX, 75182
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Plano
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano
4700 Alliance Blvd , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Denton
2801 S Mayhill Rd , Denton, TX, 76208
Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health
3500 Gaston Ave , Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas
621 N Hall St , Dallas, TX, 75226
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Irving
1901 N MacArthur Blvd , Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Grapevine
1650 W College St , Grapevine, TX, 76051
Baylor Scott & White Vascular Surgery Specialists - Grapevine
2020 W State Highway 114 Ste 200, Grapevine, TX, 76051
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Waxahachie
2400 N Interstate 35E , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Surgery Center - Waxahachie
106 Lucas St , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Vascular Surgery Specialists - Mansfield
1776 N US 287 Ste 220, Mansfield, TX, 76063
Baylor Scott & White Vascular Surgery Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave Bldg A, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Hillcrest
100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd , Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Temple
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Specialty Clinic - Killeen Hemingway
2405 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Round Rock
300 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
Baylor Scott & White Vascular and Vein Clinic - Austin
2217 Park Bend Dr Ste 230, Austin, TX, 78758- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lakeway
100 Medical Pkwy , Lakeway, TX, 78738
Baylor Scott & White Specialty Clinic - Lakeway
200 Medical Pkwy , Lakeway, TX, 78738- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
