What are the risks of surgery for plugged up carotid arteries? mom is an 80 yr old diabetic.

Fairly safe: Carotid surgery is fairly safe. If the artery is signif blocked the risks of surgery are lower than the risk of not doing it. Risks include stroke, death, bleeding, although most are very rare.

Stroke/ heart attack: Several things including risk of stroke that ranges from 3-5% and heart attacks 2% . Risk of cranial nerve injury 5-10% usually transient. Patients above 80 years of age are high risk but studies shows they do better with surgery than stenting.