At the Top Ihilov Medical Center, endarterectomy is performed by the best vascular surgeons in Israel, whose experience allows for precise surgical intervention and restoration of blood flow in the carotid artery without risk to the patient.
Endarterectomy is the surgical removal of a cholesterol plaque from the lumen of an artery. In a normal state, the inner surface of the artery is smooth, but in cases of atherosclerotic processes, a plaque consisting of fibrous tissue, cholesterol, and calcium forms on the vessel wall. The plaque narrows the vessel lumen, grows, and ultimately may completely occlude the vessel, leading to cessation of blood circulation in the affected area.
To treat the formed defect and prevent complete vessel occlusion, endarterectomy is performed.
Surgical intervention is indicated in cases of:
- the presence of a cholesterol plaque in the carotid artery (the most common operation);
- obliterating lesions of the lower limb vessels;
- aortic occlusions;
- iliac vessel occlusions;
- renal artery stenosis;
- mesenteric ischemia.
Preoperative examination and preparation for carotid endarterectomy
Typically, before the operation, a few days prior, the patient is prescribed medications to reduce blood clotting speed. Diagnostic methods for examining the affected vessel include:
- duplex ultrasound scanning. This method allows for the assessment of blood flow velocity in the artery, determination of vessel narrowing, and location of the plaque;
- MR angiography;
- angiography.
Endarterectomy operation
In most cases, the removal of the cholesterol plaque is performed without stopping blood flow. The large vessel is compressed for a short time, which does not harm the supplied organ. Surgery on the carotid artery requires special attention from the surgeon and precise movements. Since the carotid artery supplies blood to the brain, only a few minutes should pass from the moment blood flow stops in the vessel until the vessel is restored.
During the operation, the artery wall is opened at the site of the plaque localization, the plaque is completely removed with a special instrument, blood flow is monitored at the open wound, and then the surgical wound is sutured.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia, and the patient requires monitoring for several days. The pain syndrome is mild in the postoperative period, and patients note an improvement in their condition immediately after the operation.
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- Peripheral artery diseases
- Mesenteric ischemia