Understanding carotid artery stenting

Carotid artery stenting is a procedure to open up a narrowed carotid artery. Two carotid arteries on each side of the neck deliver blood to the brain. A stent is a tiny, metal mesh coil. It props open the artery so blood can flow freely. During the procedure, the healthcare provider puts a long thin tube (catheter) into an artery. This lets the provider move tools through the artery to put the stent in place. Stenting is often done with a procedure called angioplasty. For angioplasty, the provider inflates a tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter at the blocked part of the artery. The inflated balloon presses the plaque against the artery wall. This opens the artery for better blood flow. The provider then places the stent to help keep the artery open. 

Why is carotid artery stenting done?

Carotid artery stenting is done to restore blood flow to the brain to prevent stroke. A stroke can occur if the artery becomes narrowed. Or if a blood clot forms in the artery. This can block blood flow to part of the brain.

How is carotid artery stenting done? 

Your provider will need to talk to you during the procedure, so you’ll be awake the entire time.

Putting in the catheter

• A surgical team member will clean the skin in the area of the insertion site with an antiseptic liquid. Your doctor will numb it with local anesthesia. 

• The provider will make a small hole (puncture). It's usually in the femoral artery in the groin. Or they may use an arm or even neck artery.

• The provider will put an introducer sheath or tube into the puncture.

• The provider puts the catheter into the sheath. Using X-rays as a guide, the provider moves the catheter through the sheath and up through the aorta and into the carotid artery.

• You will have an angiogram of the carotid artery. A carotid angiogram is a test that uses X-rays and a special fluid (contrast medium or dye). It helps your provider find blockages or other problems in the carotid arteries. Your provider injects the contrast dye into the artery to show where the narrowed portion is on X-ray. You may feel warmth toward your head just after the dye is injected. You may also think you see some flashing lights. This is normal and will only last for a few seconds. Let your provider know right away if it continues.

Placing the filter

A filter or other protective device prevents pieces of plaque from being carried downstream into the brain and causing a stroke. The provider uses the catheter to place the unopened filter in the artery. They move the filter past the narrowed area. They then open the filter. It stays in place for the whole procedure. If the narrowing is very severe, your provider may need to widen the artery before the filter is put in place.

Opening the artery

The provider will open or expand the narrowed artery if the narrowing is too tight to allow the stent to pass through. This is done using balloon angioplasty:

• The provider guides an uninflated balloon-tipped catheter to the area that needs to be widened.

• They then inflate the balloon. This pushes the artery open. The balloon may need to be inflated and deflated several times to open the artery enough.

• After the procedure is done, the provider deflates and removes the balloon.

Placing the stent

• A stent is a metal mesh coil that is used to expand a narrow artery and keep it open.

• The provider guides the stent through the catheter to the site of the narrowing. They then expand the stent using balloon angioplasty. You may feel a slight pain in your neck during the balloon angioplasty.

• Your provider then removes the catheter and balloon. They leave the stent in place.

Checking the result

You will have another angiogram to compare with the one taken at the start of the procedure. This is to see if the blood flow has improved. Once your provider is satisfied with the result, they will remove the filter and other tools and close the insertion site.

Risks and possible complications

The risks of this procedure include:

• Stroke

• Bleeding at the puncture site

• Headache

• Bleeding into the brain

• Blood clot at the puncture site

• Low blood pressure

• Blood clot in the treated vessel

• Reaction to contrast fluid

• Heart rhythm problems, such as slow heart rate

• Reblockage of the artery and possible need to get treatment again

• Kidney damage

• Heart attack

• Death