Carotid artery disease, a vascular disease that affects blood vessels leading to the brain, develops gradually. If the condition produces few symptoms, it may go unnoticed until it causes a stroke.
The vascular surgeons at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health can help. With extensive training and experience, we excel at diagnosing and treating carotid artery disease as early as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce your risk of stroke and help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
What Is Carotid Artery Disease?
The two carotid arteries run up the left and right sides of your neck to carry blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease develops as cholesterol and other fatty substances (plaque) build up in these arteries.
As carotid artery disease worsens, the plaque buildup begins to narrow the artery, reducing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. The blockage increases your risk of a stroke, but the proper treatment can manage the condition and reduce your risk.
Carotid Artery Disease Treatment: Why Choose Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health?
Our vascular surgeons and their teams offer a full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments for carotid artery disease. Our goal is to restore healthy blood flow to the brain and reduce your risk of stroke.
You can expect:
- Expertise in vascular procedures: Our vascular surgeons are board-certified and have additional years of training in vascular surgery and endovascular procedures. At LG Health, we perform a high number of open surgeries and minimally invasive procedures each year. You receive care from a team with extensive experience in a wide range of treatments for vascular disease.
- Team approach: Your care team for carotid artery disease includes skilled doctors from vascular surgery, vascular medicine, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, radiology and other fields. We work together to evaluate you, confirm an accurate diagnosis and customize a care plan for your specific needs.
- Innovative diagnostic and treatment options: Our team has particular expertise in transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a hybrid endovascular/open surgical procedure to open carotid arteries. We’re skilled in the latest technologies, such as low-dose radiation with ClarityIQ technology.
- Nationally recognized vascular imaging: Our vascular lab has earned accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in recognition of our high standards in patient care. Our technicians are registered vascular technologists who have certifications in vascular technology and use the latest vascular imaging technologies.
- Focus on high-quality care: We’re the only hospital in Lancaster County and one of few in the region that reports our patient outcomes to national registries. By continually measuring our results against national outcomes, we’re finding new ways to improve care for you.
Specialized Carotid Artery Disease Treatment
At LG Health, your care team begins with a thorough evaluation to understand your symptoms and confirm an accurate diagnosis. We discuss treatment options with you to create a personalized treatment plan. Whenever possible, we begin with the least invasive treatment method.
Our full spectrum of treatment options includes:
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Your treatment for carotid artery disease will likely begin with lifestyle changes that encourage healthy habits, such as a healthy eating plan, exercise and quitting smoking. If your symptoms are mild, these changes may be all you need to manage carotid artery disease and prevent it from worsening.
Medications to Treat Carotid Artery Disease
For moderate carotid artery disease, you may need medications to relieve symptoms. Depending on your specific health conditions, we may prescribe medications to:
- Reduce your blood pressure
- Lower your blood levels of cholesterol
Carotid Artery Angioplasty and Stenting
If you have severe blockage or have already had a stroke, your care team will likely recommend a procedure to open the carotid artery. Our vascular surgeons specialize in carotid angioplasty to clear the artery from the inside, without the need for open surgery. Learn more about carotid artery angioplasty and stenting.
Minimally Invasive Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
Our vascular surgeons specialize in transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a hybrid procedure that combines minimally invasive catheter and open surgical approaches to open the carotid artery. We often use this procedure to treat severe carotid artery disease. TCAR uses active flow reversal technology to protect the brain from plaques that may loosen during the procedure.
Carotid Endarterectomy
An open surgical procedure, known as carotid endarterectomy, is the most common treatment for severe carotid artery disease. Our vascular surgeons perform a high number of these surgeries every year, giving us extensive expertise in the procedure.
Make an Appointment
To schedule a consultation for carotid artery disease care, call 717-544-3626.