Surgical removal of plaque buildup in the carotid artery
This is a common treatment for carotid artery disease, in which fatty deposits known as plaque cause the large blood vessels in your neck to narrow or become blocked.
The surgeons in our Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Program provide leading expertise in treating carotid disease. Your doctor may recommend carotid endarterectomy if you have severe narrowing of a vessel or are at risk for a stroke.
Procedure
You may be asked not to eat or drink before the procedure. Ask your doctor if you should take your regular medications. Your doctor will discuss sedation options before the procedure, which may include local anesthesia (the neck area is numbed and you will be awake) or general anesthesia (you will be asleep with a breathing tube inserted).
The surgeon will make an incision in your neck. The surgeon will then open the diseased artery and remove the plaque that is causing the blockage. Finally, the artery will be closed to restore normal blood flow.
The procedure takes 1 and a half to 2 hours and you should be able to go home the next day.
Conditions
An extracranial carotid artery aneurysm is a bulge that weakens the walls of the main artery in your neck and may create blood clots that can result in a stroke.
Carotid artery disease, also known as carotid artery stenosis, occurs when fatty deposits known as plaque cause the carotid arteries to narrow or become blocked.
Tests
Angiogram (Angiography)
An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.
Carotid Duplex Ultrasound
Carotid duplex ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to your brain.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Victoria E Bartlett, AGACNP-BC BSN MSN
Neurosurgery & Spine Surgery
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Danielle Bielecki, NP
Cardiac Surgery & Vascular Surgery
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Kathleen M Burger, DO
Neurology
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Ehsan Parchenbaf Dowlati, MD
Neurosurgery & Interventional Radiology
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Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Amie Hsia, MD
Neurology, Psychiatry & Vascular Neurology
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Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Willie Liang, MD
Vascular Surgery & General Surgery
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Xiaohong Liu, ACNP-BC MS
Cardiovascular Disease & Cardiac Electrophysiology
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Andrew Benjamin Stemer, MD
Neurology
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Azeb Befekadu Tessema, FNP MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Lisa Anne Yager, AGNP MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Rashad Imran Majeed, MD
Vascular Surgery & General Surgery
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Charles Calvin Reel, MD
Neurology
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Jeffrey Ye-Chang Wang, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9101 Franklin Square Dr. MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21237
443-777-1901
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Pasquerilla Healthcare Center Building 4 Washington, DC 20007
877-367-2434
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 5200 Olney, MD 20832
410-657-1947
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Road Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-5637
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Road Ste 200 Leonardtown, MD 20650
240-434-4022
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital - Calvert Street Building
3300 North Calvert Street First Floor Baltimore, MD 21218
410-261-8226
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Physician Office Building
106 Irving Street NW Physician Office Bldg. Suite 3150 North Tower Washington, DC 20010
202-877-0456
Additional information
Vascular and Endovascular Program
Partner with a recognized leader in offering care ranging from straightforward vascular disease to the most complex vascular disorders.
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.