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Carotid Endarterectomy

Coastal Vascular Center

Vascular & Endovascular Surgeons located in Oxnard, Camarillo, & Simi Valley, CA

Your carotid arteries supply blood to your brain. If you have a buildup of plaque along these arteries, you’re at a greater risk of having a stroke. At Coastal Vascular Center, with offices in Oxnard, Camarillo, and Simi Valley, California, the experienced vascular surgical team offers a procedure called carotid endarterectomy to improve blood flow to your brain and reduce your risk of having a stroke. To learn more about the lifesaving procedure, call the office nearest you or request an appointment online today.

Carotid Endarterectomy Q & A

What is a carotid endarterectomy?

Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure for the treatment of carotid artery disease. Your carotid arteries are found in your neck and are the primary source of blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease refers to the buildup of plaque along the walls of the artery, which restricts blood flow and increases your risk of having a stroke.

The goal of the carotid endarterectomy is to remove the plaque along the artery wall to improve blood flow and prevent more serious health complications, including a stroke.

Am I a good candidate for a carotid endarterectomy?

The team at Coastal Vascular Center determines if you’re a good candidate for carotid endarterectomy during an evaluation. You may be considered a good candidate for the procedure if the blockage in your artery is severe or you’ve already suffered a transient ischemic attack (brief blockage of blood supply to the brain), which may be an early risk factor for a stroke.

What happens during a carotid endarterectomy?

Your Coastal Vascular Center surgeon performs your carotid endarterectomy at the hospital under local or general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon makes an incision in your neck to access your carotid artery at the area of the blockage. Your surgeon opens the artery and removes the plaque, closes the artery, and the incision made in your neck.

To protect your brain from plaque fragments that may come loose during the procedure, the team at Coastal Vascular Center uses an advanced tool called transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), which redirects blood flow and filters out any fragments. 

What happens after my carotid endarterectomy?

After your carotid endarterectomy, you need to spend a day or two at the hospital for monitoring and recovery. You may experience neck pain and difficulty swallowing following the procedure, but these side effects should resolve as your incisions heal. 

You may be prescribed medication to reduce your risk of blood clots, along with any disease-specific medication that may have contributed to the buildup of plaque along your carotid artery.

To learn more about carotid endarterectomy and how it may benefit you, call the surgical experts at Coastal Vascular Center for a consultation or book an appointment online today.