Can a person have prophylactic carotid endarterectomy?

Depends: This all depends on what your definition of prophylactic means. If you mean "asymptomatic", then yes. We recommend a carotid endarterectomy for people who have a narrowing of >80% even if they have not had any symptoms. If you have carotid stenosis of <80%, the medical management with aspirin/plavix and a statin (cholesterol lowering med) is sufficient. An annual ultrasound for surveillance also.

Yes: In general a carotid endarterectomy is done to prevent a person from having a stroke. There are criteria for symptomatic as well as a symptomatic patients. Either way the purpose of the operation is to prevent a stroke.

Yes / no: Depends on degree of disease.