What is Carotid Stenosis?

Carotid arteries are major vessels that supply blood to the head and brain. Carotid stenosis is the narrowing of these blood vessels due to a build-up of plaque. Risk factors for stenosis include smoking, high blood-pressure, high cholesterol, high blood-lipids, diabetes and obesity. Symptoms include those of stroke (See Stroke).

How is it treated?

The standard treatment for carotid stenosis has been open surgery with a Carotid Endarterectomy.  In some cases, particularly high risk patients, angioplasty and stenting can be used to open up the narrowing to improve blood flow to the brain. This is a procedure performed by placing a tiny tube called a catheter into the groin under local anesthesia. The cathether is then directed to the area of treatment under x-ray guidance after which a "chicken-wire" like tube can be placed into the blood vessel at the narrowed site. First, an angioplasty is performed, in which a balloon is inflated and flattens the plaque. Then, the stent is released.

  Pre-stent narrowed carotid artery (ICA)        Balloon angioplasty             Post-stent--better flow through ICA