Carodid arteries caused by stroke

[bobcat315]

Mom had a massive stroke back Nov 2008, paralyzed her right side and affected her speech. She has come so far in recovery. She had a 100% blockage in her carodid artery and they said there was nothing that could be done due to it being completley blocked. We just took her back this past week to check on the arteries again as the other side was 50% blocked. The doctor called us that afternoon and told us the 100% blocked aretery had opened back up. He had never ever seen this happen. We cat scanned to make for sure it had reopened. They told us this was very dangerous and scheduled surger immediatley. She fell last Saturda and broke 3 ribs is in a lot of pain. After the doctor found this out he said he would have to wait because with broken ribs they could not put her on a ventilator. She also had a sinus infection  How dangerous is this without surgery because they told us without it she would have a great chance of a massive stroke but they also told us she may not amke it through the surgery. What do ou do.

[bobcat315]

I am the one that asked for a pt and Inr to be checked and there are 3 of her arteries blocked the left side was the one with 100% blockage and the 2 in the back of the neck are both blocked she is 50% blocked on the right side. I know I just wanted to stay on top of her bloddwork and try every way that I can to prevent this from happening again. The vascular surgeon I am not sure about but there are only 2 here and 1 of them my mom worked with as she worked for the hospital for 30 years and does not like him. Neither doctor has ever seen this happen before therefore has never done this surgery before which is very scary for me. That is why I am trying to find out everything I can. Thanks for all your info

[oc1dean]

Actually the blockage did not directly cause the stroke. There are four arteries feeding the circle of willis that supplies blood to the whole brain. Only three of mine are working and I am getting enough blood to my brain. What probably occurred is that the blockage tore the lining of the artery, clotted and then a clot traveled to the brain causing the stroke. Your doctors are not giving you very good information. I thought that INR testing was only done when someone was being treated with warfarin. I was actually quite glad when mine closed up completely because that meant I didn't need to worry about a clot going thru that artery.
Dean

[bobcat315]

The only thing they have had mom on is baby aspirin. We check her blood every month her pro time and INR are normal. Although last month or 3 weeks ago when we had it checked they told us her blood was homocysting which I had never heard of which has something to do with the blood clotting and they increased her folic acid a great deal. I am really concerned about this blockage. You would think it would be good news when a blockage reopened . Normally they would strip it if it were 95% blocked but I guess since that side has been blocked for a year and it is dead as it caused a massive stroke a year ago that the blood has rerouted and they tell us it is extremely dangerous. I am desperate to find out anything I can. Mom still has her mind and she is scared to death also. Any advice is appreciated as we are truly desperate and running out of time.

[oc1dean]

i had never heard of a blocked artery opening up again, but your doctors need to answer what would be done for a patient that is mostly blocked. In my opinion this is very simple, she needs some type of blood thinner/clot preventer until surgery can be done. But i am sure the negative to this will be that you can't have surgery until you are off the blood thinners and being on the thinner will slow down the recovery from the broken ribs. Your doctors are not thinking very effectively if they can't come up with a solution.
Dean