If Dr. Lam considers a patient with carotid artery disease at too high of a risk for carotid endarterectomy or if he or she has undergone previous neck surgery or radiation therapy, he may recommend endovascular repair, also known as carotid artery stenting.
How does it work?
Carotid artery stenting is a minimally invasive procedure in which Dr. Lam inserts a balloon-tipped catheter through a tiny incision in the body. The catheter is gently guided through the carotid artery to the blockage. The balloon tip is inflated, which compresses the plaque against the blood vessel wall. A small metal device or stent shaped like a tube is left in place permanently to strengthen the artery and maintain blood flow.
Potential benefits of a minimally invasive procedure
1. Go home the same day – They’re performed in-office on an outpatient basis, which translates to no hospital stay.
2. Faster recovery with less pain – Since there are no major incisions or heavy anesthesia involved, the procedure is less painful and enables the body to heal quickly to get you back on your feet with very little downtime.
3. Better overall results – Endovascular procedures employ precise technology, allowing Dr. Lam to be able to accurately target the issues and resolve them successfully.
4. Safer – Since endovascular procedures do not require the large incisions of “open” surgery, they make the process of removing PAD blockages safer by limiting the risk of infection and other complications.
