carotid arteries surgery for women

[chxndml]

I was told that women don't get their blockage on their carotid arteries surgery until they're symptomatic. What is the approximate percentage range of success in clearing they and the patient surviving if they are 82% blockage on one side and 62% on the other side? I've searched high and low and cannot find any real statistical data or probability of success. Thank you in advance.

[kenkeith]

The recommended quidelines:
In individuals without symptoms and blockages of 60% or less, medical therapy alone is appropriate. This involves the use of an anticoagulant, which may include:
Aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), etc.

Endarterectomy is three times as effective as medical therapy
alone in reducing stroke in individuals whose blockages are 70-95% and have
symptoms.

You may find the statistics you are looking at this site:

http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1240250946756LS-1982%20Heart%20and%20Stroke%20Update.042009.pdf

Hope this helps.

[ed34]

Hi.  I think this is probably because there is still a lot of statistical data being gathered and studied. The usual method for treating a carotid artery was/is a endarterectomy procedure. This involves opening the artery and removing the plaque with special tools. However since stents were invented, they seem to be getting used everywhere now. In kidneys for example, the long term outcome doesn't exactly look promising. In carotid arteries they seem to produce more strokes and heart attacks than the usual procedure. So for the time being, I think I would opt for the endarterectomy if I had to give a choice. I know the minimal invasive option always sounds great. I think if you google carotid endarterectomy vs stenting , you will be presented with a lot of information.
I think medication will see you through for a long time yet, giving you lots of time to study this.