According to statistics, 1 in every 20 deaths is caused by stroke, killing more than a hundred thousand Americans every year.  Fortunately, today’s innovative treatments, such as a carotid stent, can lower your risks of getting a stroke. The team at Vascular Specialists provides effective Evergreen Park carotid stenting to open congested arteries that impede blood flow to your brain. If you have been told you are at risk of stroke because of arterial blockages or have carotid artery disease, the carotid stenting treatment is the best option for you. For more information about carotid stenting, call or schedule an appointment online today.

What is carotid stenting?

A stroke occurs when you have blockages in the arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood to your brain.  A clot or bursts may cause a blockage. Carotid stenting lowers the risk of stroke by placing a tiny wire mesh tube into the clogged artery. The stents keep the artery channel wide open through which blood flows so that your brain receives plenty of oxygen and nourishment.

Why would you require a carotid stent?

When the blood vessels that transport blood to the brain accumulate too much plaque on their walls, they cannot handle normal blood flow. The blockages sometimes cause you to get a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which temporarily limits blood flow to the brain, leading to confusion, blurry vision, weakness, and other symptoms. If you have experienced a TIA, you should go for carotid artery treatment immediately. If the screening reveals advanced blockages that are hard to resolve with lifestyle modifications and medications, the doctor might recommend getting carotid stenting. The treatment is often best for high-risk cardiovascular disease patients and people with uncontrolled diabetes. The procedure is also recommended for individuals who have had previous neck radiation or neck surgery.

How is the carotid stenting procedure done?

When you go to a medical specialist for carotid stenting, the doctor starts by giving you a local anesthetic and taking X-rays of your carotid arteries to get the targeted artery’s image. During the procedure, the team at Vascular Specialists puts a small tube into an artery, usually one located in the groin. The team directs a catheter with a balloon tip through the tube to the affected carotid artery using X-ray guidance. The balloon tip is then inflated to the clear artery, and any debris that breaks off from the clogged artery is filtered away. The stent is then placed via the tube into the opened vessel.

The team will then remove the filter, balloon catheter, and tube, leaving the stent in place to avert future constricting of the carotid artery. You won’t require stitches, only a patch to cover the minor incision at your groin. You will be instructed to sleep for several hours to prevent bleeding from the catheter insertion site and avoid strenuous activity for about 24 hours after the procedure.

To sum up, carotid artery disease places you at risk of stroke. Fortunately, carotid stenting can significantly lower the risks of stroke.  Call or schedule an appointment online with Vascular Specialists to determine if it’s the proper treatment for you.

Joyce Laroche