Carotid Endarteretcomy

What can I expect during my carotid Endarteretcomy? Explain the proceedure and recovery time, please.Also, what would be a minimally invasive alternative to this proceedure?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Anne,

Carotid endarteretcomy (CEA) is done in individuals with carotid blockages and has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and neurological symptoms.  It has been nick named the "roto-router"  of the carotid arteries. The main potential adverse event is stroke but this is usually a small percentage.   Usually people leave the hospital within a few days of the procedure and are back to normal after seeral weeks.  There is a new minimally invasive procedure called carotid artery stenting. This procedure is similar to a heart cath and individuals have an overnight stay at the hospital with a day or two recovery period.  The early results seem to indicate that carotid stenting has similar results to CEA but larger studies have not yet been done.  If you wish to be considered for carotid stenting at the Cleveland Clinic please call the number below to make an appointment with Dr. Jay Yadav.

[lq1050]

Ann, this page might be of help on what to expect.


http://people.ne.mediaone.net/harrie/neck.htm

[kd re: longstanding MR]

6 years ago I had a carotid endartarectomy.  It was an unusual one because of the location of the stenosis and the amount of the vessel occluded.  So, they did a bypass using gortex from the aorta to the bifurcation (where the internal and external carotids come together).  That meant extra hospital/recuperation time so I can't tell you what exactly yours will feel like.  I can tell you that I was glad I had it done.   I had been having TIAs (ministrokes) shortly before the surgery and having the endartarectomy helped in a lot of areas they didn't think it would help (like fatigue factors and walking up stairs).
I would not take the surgery lightly, because they are working on your neck and the carotids are near a lot of other things - but I would also not delay if you have a surgeon and neurologist you trust.  Make sure your surgeon has done many of these before.  Get a second opinion.  I'm so glad I had mine done while I was halfway healthy before the problem got worse.
Good luck.
kd

[lq1050]

Ann, would love to know how everything turned for you?