The next seven minutes could save your life. Home | Why We Do This | Health Library | Find a Doctor | Contact Conditions Procedures Ablation Pacemakers Atherectomy Valvuloplasty Carotid Stents Septal Closures Coil Embolization Coronary Stents Peripheral Stents Medicated Stents IVC Umbrella Placement Thrombolytic Treatment Angiojet Thrombectomy Intraaortic Balloon Pump Coronary Catheterization Radiation Brachytheraphy Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty MID-CAB Bypass Surgery Thoracic Endograph Heart Transplantation Valve Repair Surgery Abdominal Endograph Valve Replacement Surgery Carotid Endarterectomy Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Transmyocardial Revascularization Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Tilt Table MRI/MRA Aortagram Stress Test Event Recorder Ross Procedure Maze Procedure Holter Monitoring Myocardial Biopsy Nuclear Stress Test Stress Echocardiogram Electrophysiology Pulmonary Angiography Intracardiac Ultrasound Dobutamine Stress Echo Intravascular Ultrasound Echocardiography Electrocardiogram Coronary Balloon Angioplasty Peripheral Vascular Angiography Transesophageal Echocardiogram Signal Averaged Electrocardiogram Computed Axial Tomography Prevention Carotid Stents Why is the doctor performing this procedure? To open up the carotid artery (the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain) that is narrowed, hardened or blocked by plaque build-up (atherosclerosis), and to structurally support that opening by permanently placing a metal stent within the artery. What is the procedure? A stent is a mesh-like metal cylinder. As in angioplasty, a catheter is inserted into the groin or arm. The catheter is advanced to the carotid artery, and a series of x-ray pictures are taken to clearly visualize the portion that is narrowed. Then a balloon-tipped catheter is advanced into the narrowed artery. Inside the artery, the balloon is inflated and deflated several times, compressing the plaque against the artery wall and widening the artery so blood flow improves. This balloon-tipped catheter is removed, and a separate balloon-tipped catheter, with a stent attached, is advanced to the area that was just opened. The balloon is inflated, expanding the stent into the inner layer of the artery. The balloon is removed, but the stent stays in place, acting as a scaffold to keep the artery open. The inner lining of the artery will then heal around the stent. X-ray pictures are repeated, and if the stent has been successfully placed, the catheters are removed. Pressure is applied to the puncture site (to stop bleeding) while the patient rests quietly. Where is the procedure performed? In the Catheterization Lab or the Interventional Radiology Suite. How long does this procedure take? Angioplasty with stent placement usually takes 1-2 hours. A community service provided by: Colorado Springs, CO 2008-2012, Copyright, Memorial Health System |  Site Map