How is carotid artery stenosis treated?
Depending on the degree of stenosis and the patient’s overall condition, carotid artery stenosis can usually be treated with surgery. The procedure is called carotid endarterectomy. It removes the plaque that caused the carotid artery to narrow. Carotid endarterectomy has proven to benefit patients with arteries stenosed (narrowed) by 70 percent or more. For people with arteries narrowed less than 50 percent, anti-clotting medicine is usually prescribed to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. Examples of these drugs are antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. Carotid angioplasty may be another treatment option. It uses balloons and/or stents to open a narrowed artery. For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE. Related AHA and ASA publications: • Heart and Stroke Facts • Stroke: Are You at Risk? (also in Spanish on ASA Web site) • Know the Facts…
