Contact Us

Carotid Endarterectomy

A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove plaque buildup from the carotid arteries and improve blood flow to the brain. During the procedure, a surgeon: Makes an incision in the neck over the affected artery, Opens the artery, Removes the plaque, Stitches or patches the artery back together, and Closes the incision.

The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia allows the surgeon to monitor the patient's brain function while they are awake.

After the procedure, patients usually take antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, and other medications, such as statins and beta blockers.

Before the procedure, an ultrasound scan is usually performed to check for narrowing in the arteries. If the arteries are narrowed, additional tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.