CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY
GENERAL INFORMATION
Blood travels from the heart to the brain through 4
arteries in the neck, 2 carotid arteries and 2
vertebral arteries. A carotid endarterectomy is an
operation in which a narrowed carotid artery is
opened up to allow better flow of blood to the
brain. The usual cause of this narrowing is a
cholesterol deposit at the beginning of the internal
carotid artery.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Sometimes the artery may be partially narrowed and
there may be no symptoms at all.
• If there is enough narrowing it may produce
symptoms which last from a few minutes to a few
hours - usually with complete recovery.
• These symptoms may include weakness of the muscles
of the face, arms or legs, usually on one side.
• There may be slurred speech or a shade like
blindness of one eye.
• These attacks are called transient ischaemic
attacks.
DIAGNOSIS
• The diagnosis is usually made by taking a detailed
history and a physical examination.
• An arteriogram or a duplex scan may be done.
TREATMENT
• Transient ischaemic attacks are a warning of
impending stroke.
• It is important to correct the narrowing before a
stroke happens.
• You have been advised to have an operation to open
up a narrowed carotid artery.
PRE-OPERATIVE PREPARATION
• Your doctor will advise when you need to be
admitted.
• Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before
the operation.
• Make sure your doctor knows what medicines you
take, especially medicines which may affect blood
clotting.
OPERATION
• The operation generally takes 2 hours.
• Your doctor will discuss whether he proposes to do
this under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic.
• The carotid artery will be exposed through an
incision on the side of your neck for the operation.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
• After the operation you will be taken to a
recovery unit or high care unit where you will be
kept until you are safe to be transferred to your
regular hospital room.
• Pain will be controlled with medicine.
COMPLICATIONS
1. This disease is a high risk disease and this
operation is a high risk operation. You must be
aware of the following possible complications.
2. Local damage to the nerves and other structure in
the neck is possible.
3. Post-operative bleeding is possible.
4. An infection in the neck wound is rare.
5. It is important to realise that it is possible
that some or all of your symptoms might not be
completely relieved by the operation.
6. It is important to realise that there is a small
incidence of stroke after this operation. When it
does occur it is a disastrous complication. In
extreme cases it may even lead to death.
7. It is possible that the disease may recur and
cause further narrowing of the artery. What is more
common is that the same disease narrows the artery
on the other side.
8. Systemic complications like deep vein thrombosis
and pulmonary embolism are possible after any
operation or anaesthetic.
pil-carotid endarterectomy.doc/ver1/30 July 2003 |
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