Carotid Artery Angioplasty

Carotid artery angioplasty, or balloon angioplasty, is used to dilate (open) the carotid artery narrowed by carotid artery disease.

A long, thin flexible tube (catheter) with a balloon tip is inserted into an artery in the groin. Guided by X-ray and a contrast "dye," the tube is threaded to the site of the narrowed carotid artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated and pushes the plaque against the artery wall.

Carotid Artery Stenting

During carotid artery stenting, a stent is placed after the angioplasty is performed. A stent is a tiny, mesh or lattice-like coil often made of stainless steel. The stent is mounted on the catheter, passed through a needle puncture in the skin (percutaneous approach), and expanded with a balloon. The balloon presses the stent against the artery wall and helps prop open the carotid artery to prevent harmful plaque from breaking away and causing a stroke. The stent is permanent and provides support for the artery to remain open.

There is some risk with every procedure. The risk varies with each person, depending on the extent of the carotid disease and the type of procedure. Although rare, bleeding, reaction to contrast dye, kidney failure, blockage of an artery, a transient ischemia attack (TIA) or stroke may occur. These problems may require additional surgery. Your surgeon will discuss with you the benefits and risks of your surgery.

The vascular surgeons in the Center for Vascular Disease have performed over 300 cases of carotid artery stenting, which has been approved by the FDA. Mark K. Eskandari, MD currently serves as the site principal investigator for the only NIH-sponsored carotid stenting trial (CREST) as well as three other carotid stenting clinical trials. The Center for Vascular Disease is also one of only a few regional centers designed to train physicians in this technology.

Dr. Eskandari is the director of Carotid and Peripheral Artery Interventions. Mark D. Morasch, MD, Heron E. Rodriguez, MD and Melina R. Kibbe, MD have also been instrumental in developing a solid and reputable carotid stenting program at Northwestern Memorial.

Contact

For more information regarding carotid artery disease, please contact the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at 1-866-662-8467 or request a first time appointment online.