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Risk of Corroded Artery Surgery

The National Stroke Association estimates that carotid artery surgery reduces the possibility of stroke by as much as 80 percent. However, as in all medical procedures, some risk is involved.

  1. Identification

    • The most typical carotid artery surgeries are carotid angioplasty and carotid endarterectomy. Angioplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure while an endarterectomy is a higher risk, open surgery.

    Considerations

    • A carotid endarterectomy drastically reduces the possibility of stroke, but does carry concerns. “The surgery is fairly safe when done by a surgeon who has experience with it,” says The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. “However, serious complications, such as stroke and death, can occur.”

    Effects

    • Between 1 and 3 percent of patients undergoing an endarterectomy experience a stroke during or immediately after the operation. “Another recognized risk of carotid endarterectomy is injury to the nerves on the neck,” according to The Baylor College of Medicine. “In most cases, nerve dysfunction may be temporarily caused by swelling or stretching and clears up on its own within two weeks.”

    Risks

    • The risk of carotid artery surgery is increased in those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or blockage in other arteries.

    Angioplasty

    • Carotid angioplasty involves opening a blocked artery with a balloon-like device and propping it open permanently with tiny tubes called stents. “While this procedure is performed widely, the long-term effects are still being studied,” according to The University of Chicago Medical Center.

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