Treatment of Carotid Artery Disease

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Emory at the Forefront: Development and Evaluation of Carotid Endarterectomy and Angioplasty

The Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy is one of the most advanced and high volume treatment centers in the nation for carotid artery disease. By the early 1980s, the division was already becoming a vanguard program in assessing and refining techniques for treating the condition, and by the close of the 1990s, division surgeons had established carotid endarterectomy as a safe and efficacious option for managing it. Currently, the division's research teams are active investigators in nearly a dozen national clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and others that are evaluating carotid angioplasty and stenting for treating carotid artery disease.

Description and Diagnosis

Carotid arteries, the main blood vessels to the brain, can develop plaque residue caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that can eventually cause stroke. While strokes can be fatal and are the third leading cause of death in the US today, many people recover, though permanent brain damage and varying degrees of paralysis often result.

More than half of all strokes in the United States can be traced to carotid artery disease. Fortunately, the disease can be detected with a simple ultrasound examination that takes less than 30 minutes in the Emory Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory. To schedule a session at the lab, prospective patients can call (404) 778-3712; referring physicians should contact Annette Gunnoud, RVT, at (404) 778-3326.

Treatment: Carotid Endarterectomy

Following diagnosis of severe carotid artery disease, numerous studies have shown that carotid endarterectomy is the best treatment method available for restoring the artery, thereby preventing stroke. Since the plaque is typically limited to a very small area in the mid-portion of the artery in the neck, removal for the carotid endarterectomy can be done through a small incision and frequently under local anesthesia. Recovery from carotid endarterectomy surgery and resumption of day-to-day activities is usually fairly quick, and 90 percent of patients have normal carotid arteries for the rest of their lives. Follow-up is in the form of routine ultrasound scans done at regular intervals.

Scheduling a Surgery Consultation

Following diagnosis of carotid artery disease by the non-invasive lab or an outside institution, an initial consultation for carotid endarterectomy treatment with a division surgeon can be scheduled by calling (404) 778-3712 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), Monday through Friday. Another scheduling option is to contact Emory HealthConnection^SM at (404) 778-7777 or 1-800-75-EMORY, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. HealthConnection^SM offers immediate access to information on Emory services and physicians and can assist in making appointments.

Referring physicians should contact Julie Bumgardner, NP-C, clinical coordinator for the division, at (404) 778-3022.