Carotid Artery Stenting

A multidisciplinary team of BMC cardiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists offers a minimally invasive procedure for patients with carotid artery disease.

The disease occurs when a buildup of hard deposits or plaque clogs the arteries that supply blood to the face and front part of the brain. As a result, the arteries thicken and harden, slowing blood flow and increasing a patient’s risk for stroke. Approximately one-third of the more than 600,000 strokes in the United States are the result of blockages in the carotid arteries.

Traditionally, treatment for the disease involves a surgical procedure known as carotid endarterectomy. The procedure entails making an incision in the patient’s neck so doctors can remove plaque from the blocked artery. In some cases, the temporary rerouting of blood flow and a vein graft may be needed to repair or widen the artery.

In the new procedure, known as carotid artery stenting, doctors thread a catheter through the patient’s groin and guide it into the blocked artery. The catheter contains a stent and an embolic protection device used to catch any pieces of plaque or other particles that may be released during the procedure. After positioning the embolic protection device beyond the blockage, doctors open the stent, allowing for better blood flow through the artery.

For more information, call (617) 638-8702.