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Lifestyle Modification
As in any disease produced by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), lifestyle modification must occur to reduce the risk factors that can be altered. [See TREATMENT FOR PAD for a full description. ]This may be the sole therapy that is needed depending on the factors mentioned above. However, if your physician believes that the artery requires repair—that is, the diameter of the blood flow channel needs to be improved—two options exist: Angioplasty and Stenting of the carotid artery or the direct removal of plaque from the artery.
Angioplasty and Stenting
This well-known technique in the heart, legs and elsewhere has only recently been applied to the carotid arteries. The physician is able to thread a small wire up to the carotid artery and through the narrowed area. Over that wire, a balloon with a long channel through it is passed to the area that is narrowed. The physician then inflates the balloon temporarily, thereby cracking the hardened plaque and widening the artery. The balloon is removed and a metal lattice (stent) is then passed over the same wire and expanded to keep the area that was just widened open. The entire procedure can be done through a 2-3mm pinhole in the groin leaving the patient with a small Band-Aid type dressing at the end. Local anesthesia is usually all that is required with the help of a sedative in some situations.
Carotid Endarterectomy
The most time-tested treatment for carotid disease is surgery whereby the plaque is scraped from the inside of the artery thereby increasing the inner diameter. This technique, called a Carotid Endarterectomy, has been the mainstay of the treatment of carotid disease since the 1950s. An incision is made on the appropriate side of the neck and the artery is opened allowing the surgeon access to the plaque within the artery. Once the plaque is removed, the surgeon can close the artery using a small patch to increase its size and reduce the chance of the narrowing reoccurring.
TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
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Risks and Benefits
All three procedures have specific risks and benefits which must be appreciated by the physician and the patient in advance of the intervention. It is important to individualize a plan for each patient that both the patient and the physician are comfortable undertaking. At The Cardiovascular Care Group, we believe that all three procedures have a role in the treatment of carotid artery disease. It is our responsibility to evaluate each patient and to individualize a plan of care that is appropriate for them.