Carotid Surgery
-
- Tweet
Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates
Vascular Surgeons located in Vero Beach, FL & Fort Pierce, FL
Carotid surgery prevents a stroke by eliminating blockages that stop blood from reaching your brain. As a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon, Pranay Ramdev, MD, FACS, at Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates has extensive experience performing carotid surgery. Dr. Ramdev has successfully helped many patients lead a healthy, thriving life by restoring healthy circulation to their brain. If you experience dizziness or loss of balance, or you would like to be screened for carotid artery disease, call one of the offices in Vero Beach or Fort Pierce, Florida, or schedule an appointment online.
Carotid Surgery Q & A
When might I need carotid surgery?
Dr. Ramdev performs this type of surgery to treat carotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease occurs when cholesterol and other substances build up on the carotid artery wall, causing a condition called atherosclerosis.
Without treatment, atherosclerotic plaque continues to enlarge and harden, blocking blood flow to your brain.
What symptoms occur if I have carotid artery disease?
Many people don’t develop symptoms until the blockage is so severe it causes a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
A TIA lasts a short time and doesn’t cause permanent damage. However, a TIA is a red flag that you have a high risk of having a stroke in the future.
By comparison, a stroke occurs when blood flow to your brain is completely stopped long enough to damage brain cells.
A stroke and TIA cause the same symptoms. But during a TIA, your symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed:
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Sudden headache
- Changes in vision
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty understanding others
- Weakness or numbness on one side of your face or body
You should seek immediate medical care if you develop any of these symptoms. If you have a stroke, prompt treatment improves your recovery.
What type of carotid surgery might I receive?
Dr. Ramdev performs carotid surgery in the hospital. He may do an endarterectomy or angioplasty with stenting to clear the blockage from your carotid artery and restore normal blood flow to your brain.
Endarterectomy
During this surgical procedure, Dr. Ramdev makes a small cut in the carotid artery and removes the atherosclerotic plaque. After cleaning the artery, he stitches it together and your surgery is finished.
Angioplasty with stenting
During a minimally invasive angioplasty, Dr. Ramdev uses ultrasound imaging to guide a catheter through your blood vessels to the blocked area of the carotid artery. After the catheter is in place, he inflates a balloon located in the tip of the catheter.
The balloon pushes the plaque against the artery wall, opening the artery and restoring blood flow. Dr. Ramdev then uses the catheter to implant a wire stent that stays inside the artery and helps keep it open.
After both procedures, you may need to take medications to prevent blood clots. It’s also important to make lifestyle changes to lower the risk of more plaque developing.
If you experience dizziness, loss of balance, or other symptoms suggestive of a TIA, call Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates or schedule an appointment online.
