Stents for the Carotid Arteries in the Neck
View an implant of a Carotid Stent
Both the right and left sides of your neck have blood vessels called carotid arteries. These arteries carry blood from the heart to the brain. Carotid arteries can become narrowed by plaque. These plaque deposits limit blood flow to the brain and increase your risk for stroke. Your chance of developing plaque in your carotid arteries increases with age, and may increase if you smoke.
A new procedure uses stents to help keep the carotid arteries fully open after they're widened with angioplasty. Not all hospitals offer this procedure. How effective it is long term is still under study.
Carotid Artery Stenting
The illustration shows the process of carotid artery stenting. Figure A shows an internal carotid artery that has plaque buildup and reduced blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of the narrowed carotid artery. Figure B shows a stent being placed in the carotid artery to hold back plaque and keep the artery open. Figure C shows normal blood flow restored in the stent-widened artery. The inset image shows a cross-section of the stent-widened artery.