What is a carotid stent?

Carotid stent is a medical device that is inserted into the carotid artery to open the blocked carotid artery. The stent, usually made of wire mesh, is narrow and tapered as the artery is moving. Once the doctor is led to the site, it is extended to form a hollow tube that allows blood flow to the brain. In the medical community, there is a debate about whether the accumulation of carotid plaque is better handled with carotid stents or with surgical removal.

Carotid arteries are located on each side of the neck. Both carotid arteries begin with the chest aorta and reach into the bottom of the skull, where each artery branches into the inner and external carotid arteries. Over time, these arteries can block plaque and cause stroke. Before approving carotid stent to American food and drug administration (FDA) the only other surgery that helps patients in the US with blocked carotid arteries was surgical removal of plaque.

A physician may perform angioplastyto prepare artery for carotid stent. A small balloon is maneuvered until it is in a position in the area of ​​plaque accumulation. The doctor inflates the balloon, pushes the plaque against the artery walls and creates a wider opening in the artery. The balloon is then removed and the carotid stent moves to the site. The stent works as a permanent balloon, keeps the plaque pressed onto the artery wall, and allows free blood flow of the blood.

The patient is usually awake for both balloon angioplasty and carotid stent. The doctor uses the display of live fluoroscopy to guide balloon and stent. The complete procedure usually takes one and two hours. The patient is less surgical trauma with carotid stent than with carotid endarterectomy, surgical removal of carotid plaque. The location of the carotid stent includes less cut and less anesthesia than carotid endarterectomy.

Carotid stent is associated with risks. Plaque pieces can break away and cause a stroke. Stent can support creativeRBU of blood clots and increase the risk of stroke. In the 2010 study, patients with carotid stents had a higher risk of pulls or death compared to patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy. However, the same study showed that patients with stenting had a lower risk of heart attacks in the long term.

Not all patients are suitable candidates for carotid stent. The procedure is not recommended in patients with completely blocked arteries or in patients who have already experienced stroke. Patients with a length of less than two years or patients with irregular heart rhythm are also not suitable candidates for carotid stentage. In these situations, the physician can first choose to perform acarotid endarterectomy.