At the Tel Aviv Sourasky 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 can completely occlude the vessel, leading to cessation of blood circulation in the affected area.
To treat the formed defect and prevent complete occlusion of the vessel, endarterectomy is performed.
The surgical intervention is indicated for:
- the presence of a cholesterol plaque in the carotid artery (the most common procedure);
- obliterative lesions of the lower limb vessels;
- aortic occlusions;
- occlusions of the iliac vessels;
- renal artery stenosis;
- mesenteric ischemia.
Preoperative examination and preparation for carotid endarterectomy
Typically, before the surgery, 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 assessing the speed of blood flow in the artery, determining vessel narrowing, and locating the plaque;
- MRI angiography;
- angiography.
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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 ceases 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. Pain syndrome is mild in the postoperative period, and patients report improvement immediately after the surgery.
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- Peripheral artery diseases
- Mesenteric ischemia