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What Are The Major Risks Linked With Carotid Endarterectomy?

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Posted on Mon, 8 Aug 2016
Question: What are the risks of carotid surgery?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
stroke is major risk

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question
Here is a list of the major complications of carotid endarterectomy surgery.
Stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, infection, nerve injury and bleeding. Please understand that most carotid surgeries get performed without any complication, however whenever you are working on a major blood vessel this close to the brain, complications are possible. As with any major surgery there is a risk of death and that would be caused by one of the complications above becoming catastrophic.
In medical studies of carotid endarterectomy surgery, the risk of complication is less than 5% and the risk of death is less than 1%. A surgeon should be able to tell you what the risk of complications from this surgery is in their hospital.
Please know that this procedure is done on people to prevent stroke due to disease in the carotid. It has been show in medical studies that having the procedure can decrease your risk of stroke by about 30%.
In deciding whether or not to undergo this surgery it is important to discuss your particular case carefully with your primary care doctor and your surgeon and to make sure that you are a good candidate for the surgery. (People with certain medical conditions are at higher risk for complications than others.)
Here is a link to some general information on carotid disease that may help you.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carotid-artery-disease-the-basics?source=search_result&search=carotid+endarterectomy&selectedTitle=4~73

I hope this is helpful to you and please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. Robinson


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (8 minutes later)
Is type 2 diabetes one of the medical conditions that put a person at higher risk for complications?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
It is true that having diabetes puts you at higher risk for this surgery, but if it is well controlled the increased risk is minimal.
Having diabetes in general puts you at higher risk for stroke and heart attack.
Talk to your doctor and surgeon and make sure your diabetes is controlled as well as possible.
I will be traveling today and will not have access to the computer until tonight, but will answer any further questions you have later today.
Thanks for using healthcare magic
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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What Are The Major Risks Linked With Carotid Endarterectomy?

Brief Answer: stroke is major risk Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for your question Here is a list of the major complications of carotid endarterectomy surgery. Stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, infection, nerve injury and bleeding. Please understand that most carotid surgeries get performed without any complication, however whenever you are working on a major blood vessel this close to the brain, complications are possible. As with any major surgery there is a risk of death and that would be caused by one of the complications above becoming catastrophic. In medical studies of carotid endarterectomy surgery, the risk of complication is less than 5% and the risk of death is less than 1%. A surgeon should be able to tell you what the risk of complications from this surgery is in their hospital. Please know that this procedure is done on people to prevent stroke due to disease in the carotid. It has been show in medical studies that having the procedure can decrease your risk of stroke by about 30%. In deciding whether or not to undergo this surgery it is important to discuss your particular case carefully with your primary care doctor and your surgeon and to make sure that you are a good candidate for the surgery. (People with certain medical conditions are at higher risk for complications than others.) Here is a link to some general information on carotid disease that may help you. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carotid-artery-disease-the-basics?source=search_result&search=carotid+endarterectomy&selectedTitle=4~73 I hope this is helpful to you and please let me know if you have further questions. Dr. Robinson