Question 1

can my artery reclog after carotid endarterectomy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The recurrence rates after endarterectomy depend in a number of factors such as smoking, patch use for angioplasty and on going problems with managing the risk factors of peripheral vascular disease. Women may also be more likely to have recurrent disease.

Question 2

when can i exercise after carotid endarterectomy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You can start with gentle excercize after 2 weeks and normal rouotine excercize after 6 weeks. It all depends on your recovery from the surgery.

Question 3

what is a carotid endarterectomy consist of?  they cut open your carotids?

Accepted Answer

Plaque removal: It is a technical operation. Artery is controlled, opened under full anticoagulation. Shunt placed to maintain blood flow to your brain and the lesion removed. If the artery is small caliber a patch can be used to increase caliber or close artery primarily. For my patients, I photograph the plaque for them.

Question 4

what is safer than a carotid endarterectomy nowadays, and where is the best center to do it?

Accepted Answer

Very safe: Endarterectomy is the gold standard for symptomatic carotid disease. It is safe and effective. Many surgeons have a 2% peri operative rate of stroke, less than 1% risk of peri operative death. There is some risk to nerves that control the voice box but should an injury occur it is usually temporary. The key is to ask your surgeon what his personal complication rates are.

Question 5

how long is a carotid endarterectomy scar?

Accepted Answer

Approx 5-8m: The incision is traditionally 5-8cm if done longitudinally.

Question 6

will a carotid endarterectomy leave a large amount of scars?

Accepted Answer

No: It will leave a small 3 inch very thin scar which may be difficult to see after six months.

Question 7

how effective is a carotid endarterectomy for treating a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Prevents, doesn't tx: While it's semantics, carotid endarterectomy doesn't "treat" stroke as much as it's performed to prevent one. Success depends upon experience of surgeon &amp; operating team/hospital.

Question 8

what was your recovery like after carotid endarterectomy:  is stroke something that may happen ?

Accepted Answer

Safe operation : Endarterectomy is the gold standard for symptomatic carotid disease. It is safe and effective. Many surgeons have a 2% peri operative rate of stroke, less than 1% risk of peri operative death. There is some risk to nerves that control the voice box but should an injury occur it is usually temporary. The key is to ask your surgeon about his or her personal complication rates.

Question 9

do you get regional or general anesthesia for a carotid endarterectomy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It is possible to have either general or regional anesthesia for a carotid endarterectomy. Over 95% are done with general anesthesia. A few surgeons prefer to use regional anesthesia especially in patients who have active hearts disease (angina).

Question 10

i am 68 years old. i have mpv with moderate regurgitation. i also had carotid endarterectomy last year after having tia's.what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Need monitoring : Coronary work up and etiology of the murmur will need to be evaluated.

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Doctor answers about:

Hearing loss after carotid endarterectomy

A member asked:

Can my artery reclog after carotid endarterectomy?

A member asked:

When can i exercise after carotid endarterectomy?

A member asked:

What is a carotid endarterectomy consist of? they cut open your carotids?

A member asked:

What is safer than a carotid endarterectomy nowadays, and where is the best center to do it?

A member asked:

How long is a carotid endarterectomy scar?

A member asked:

Will a carotid endarterectomy leave a large amount of scars?

A member asked:

How effective is a carotid endarterectomy for treating a stroke?

A member asked:

What was your recovery like after carotid endarterectomy: is stroke something that may happen ?

A member asked:

Do you get regional or general anesthesia for a carotid endarterectomy?

A member asked:

I am 68 years old. i have mpv with moderate regurgitation. i also had carotid endarterectomy last year after having tia's.what should i do?

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