Carotid Artery Disease

Unfortunately, the first symptom of carotid artery disease is usually a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). If you are experiencing any symptoms or have concerns, it’s crucial to consult with a Carotid Artery disease doctor immediately.

• Weakness in arms or legs.
• Difficulty speaking or getting words out or understanding speech.
• Disorientation or difficulty with coordination.
• Severe headaches.
• Memory loss.
• Facial drooping.
• Confusion.
• Visual disturbances.

Symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) may resolve within 24 hours; however, in the case of a stroke, the symptoms would be permanent and could cause lifelong disability.  People may have carotid artery disease without signs or symptoms, known as asymptomatic stenosis of the arteries. These patients are at high risk of developing a stroke in the future.

Asymptomatic stenosis of the carotid arteries can be initially detected during a physical examination by listening for a swishing sound, called a bruit, with a stethoscope over the neck area. However, asymptomatic carotid stenosis is best diagnosed with an ultrasound, a non-invasive test that can be performed in the office.

Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosis

If you suspect you have carotid artery disease, it is crucial to consult a Carotid Artery disease doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Once a diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis is established further investigation is made by doing:

• Weakness in arms or legs.
• Difficulty speaking or getting words out or understanding speech.
• Disorientation or difficulty with coordination.

These tests further delineate the anatomy and the extent of the carotid arteries and guide us to specific treatments which includes:

• Open surgery.
• Medical therapy.
• Angioplasty.
• Stent placement.

If you are considering any of these treatments, it is essential to consult with a Carotid Artery Surgery doctor near you in Encino, Los Angeles. A doctor who specializes in Carotid Artery surgery can conduct a thorough evaluation and recommend the best treatment plan for your specific condition.

Carotid Endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy is an established and effective procedure for removing atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid arteries. It provides adequate blood flow to the brain and decreases the chance of a stroke. 

This procedure involves making an incision about 6 cm long in the neck. It is often recommended by a carotid artery disease surgeon and performed in the hospital under general anesthesia with microvascular techniques. It usually takes about 2 hours and requires one day of hospitalization. This well-established procedure has been performed 100s of thousands of times with good results.

Carotid Stenting

Carotid stenting is a newer, minimally invasive procedure in treating carotid stenosis. During this procedure, access is established into the arterial system, usually through the femoral artery in the groin. A guidewire is advanced into the carotid artery surgery, followed by a balloon and stents deployed at the site of the obstruction to treat the obstruction and establish flow to the brain. The procedure is done through a needle stick; no surgical incision is required.

This is a relatively new and minimally invasive procedure, and its long-term efficacy has not been fully evaluated. It is mainly performed on patients not good candidates for open carotid endarterectomy.  If you are considering carotid artery disease surgery,  you can contact our carotid artery disease surgeon to discuss the best approach tailored to your condition.