Carotid Endarterectomy Post-Op Care in the Hospital Without complicating factors such as age and other health conditions, you can expect to stay in the hospital for one to two days following surgery. During your hospital stay, you can expect to receive medications for pain and inflammation.
What is the postoperative care for carotid endarterectomy (CEA)?
processing.... What is the postoperative care for carotid endarterectomy (CEA)? Author: Omar Haqqani, MD; Chief Editor: Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD more... Patients are awakened in the operating room, where the surgeon ensures that no neurologic deficit is present. They are then transferred to the recovery room and observed for approximately 6 hours.
What should I expect after a carotid endarterectomy?
A carotid endarterectomy involves an incision into the neck, so you can expect to have a sore throat and trouble swallowing for days or weeks after surgery. Although patients can typically resume a normal diet when they return home, you may want to favor soft, bland foods until the discomfort is gone.
Which medications are used in the treatment of carotid endarterectomy (CE)?
Kennedy J, Quan H, Buchan AM, et al. Statins are associated with better outcomes after carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic patients. Stroke 2005; 36:2072.
When is endovascular intervention indicated for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis?
Endovascular intervention is recommended for a carotid repair site stenosis based on the occurrence of an ipsilateral neurologic event and appropriate anatomy for angioplasty.
What should I monitor after carotid endarterectomy?
Blood pressure should be carefully monitored after carotid endarterectomy, and elevated blood pressure should be aggressively treated, particularly in those with early symptoms of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (Grade C recommendation).
How long do you take Plavix after carotid endarterectomy?
The society for vascular surgery and American stroke association guidelines suggested that dual-antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel or ticlopidine, should be prescribed for at least 30 days after CAS.
How long does it take for the carotid artery to heal after surgery?
After surgery, most people can return to normal activities within three to four weeks. Although, many get back to their daily routines as soon as they feel up to it. During the first few weeks of your recovery, some key things to keep in mind include: You may have some soreness in your neck for about two weeks.
What happens after a carotid endarterectomy?
You may have some discomfort in your neck around where the cut was made. This can usually be controlled with painkillers. You may also experience numbness around the wound, which should disappear after a while. Most people are able to eat and drink a few hours after having surgery.
Is carotid endarterectomy a high risk surgery?
CEA can be safely performed in patients deemed at high risk, including those aged 80 years or older and others with significant comorbid conditions, with combined stroke and mortality rates comparable to those found in randomized trials, ie, the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study and the North American ...
Is carotid surgery high risk?
As with all types of surgery, there are risks associated with having a carotid endarterectomy. The 2 main risks are: stroke – the risk of stroke is around 2%, although this may be higher in people who have had a stroke before the operation.
What is a common postoperative complication of carotid artery disease?
Postoperative complications of CEA, including myocardial infarction; perioperative stroke; postoperative bleeding; and the potential consequences of cervical hematoma, nerve injury, infection, and carotid restenosis, which may require repeat carotid intervention, are reviewed here.
What foods are good for carotid artery?
Lifestyle ChangesEat a healthy, low-fat diet.Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. ... Choose high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads, pastas, cereals, and crackers.Eat lean meats and skinless chicken and turkey.Eat fish twice a week. ... Cut back on saturated fat, cholesterol, and added salt and sugar.
How long does swelling last after carotid endarterectomy?
It takes 2-3 weeks for the swelling to go away. No ointments, lotions, creams or bandages should be applied to the incision. area, they will fall off. After the first 2-3 days they will begin to loosen, and can be gently removed over the first week when you shower.
Can you live a normal life after carotid artery surgery?
Relative survival at 5 years was 118% (95% CI, 102 to 134) for those ≥80 years of age compared with 94.7% (95% CI, 92 to 97) for those <80 years of age. Conclusions— Long-term relative survival after carotid endarterectomy in patients ≥80 years of age was better than that of an age-matched population.
What are the side effects of carotid artery surgery?
What are the risks of a carotid endarterectomy?Stroke or TIA.Heart attack.Pooling of blood into tissue around the incision site causing swelling.Nerve problems with certain functions of the eyes, nose, tongue, or ears.Bleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage)Seizures (uncommon)More items...
How long do arteries take to heal?
It takes two to three weeks for the wound to heal. Risks include infection, bleeding from the wound, and complications from anesthesia, such as trouble breathing or pneumonia. And about three out of 100 people who have bypass surgery have a heart attack or die.
Can you live a normal life after carotid artery surgery?
Relative survival at 5 years was 118% (95% CI, 102 to 134) for those ≥80 years of age compared with 94.7% (95% CI, 92 to 97) for those <80 years of age. Conclusions— Long-term relative survival after carotid endarterectomy in patients ≥80 years of age was better than that of an age-matched population.
What are the restrictions after carotid surgery?
Keep the wound dry until your doctor says it's OK to shower. Don't scrub your incision. Don't do strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days after your surgery. Don't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery.
What are the side effects of carotid artery surgery?
What are the risks of a carotid endarterectomy?Stroke or TIA.Heart attack.Pooling of blood into tissue around the incision site causing swelling.Nerve problems with certain functions of the eyes, nose, tongue, or ears.Bleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage)Seizures (uncommon)More items...
Is there a lot of pain after carotid artery surgery?
You may have a sore throat for a few days. You can expect the incision to be sore for about a week. The area around it may also be swollen and bruised at first. The area in front of the incision may be numb.
What is a carotid endarterectomy?
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) are procedures performed to prevent atheroembolic stroke. CEA has been a standard therapy since the early 1970s, whereas CAS was added by Medicare in 2005 as a covered treatment modality for symptomatic patients considered to be at high risk for CEA. The decision to cover CAS was made following publication of a randomized trial comparing CAS to CEA in high-risk subgroups. 1 Duplex ultrasound has played a major role in both of these therapies, initially for identifying appropriate treatment candidates and subsequently for following patients after their procedures. This chapter focuses on follow-up after carotid interventions. The general approach to the duplex evaluation of extracranial carotid artery disease is discussed in Chapter 8.
What is a CAS procedure?
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) are procedures performed to prevent atheroembolic stroke. CEA has been a standard therapy since the early 1970s, whereas CAS was added by Medicare in 2005 as a covered treatment modality for symptomatic patients considered to be at high risk for CEA.
What is the best medicine for carotid artery surgery?
Keeping your blood pressure under control will protect your surgery site from breaking open. Cholesterol medicine: This type of medicine is given to help decrease (lower) the amount of cholesterol (fat) in your blood. This medicine may be given to decrease the risk of new plaque forming in your carotid artery.
What is the procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery?
Carotid endarterectomy, or CEA, is surgery done to remove plaques from inside your carotid artery. The carotid artery is a blood vessel found in both sides of your neck. The artery is Y shaped and carries blood and oxygen to your brain. Plaques are fat, cholesterol, or tissues that clog the inner wall of your artery.
What happens when plaque builds up in the carotid artery?
When plaques build up inside your carotid artery, blood flow to your brain may be decreased. A part of the plaque may also break free and move to other parts of your body.
Why do you need a CEA?
If you have had a stroke, CEA may be done to decrease your risk of having another stroke.
What to do if you forget to take a med?
Tell your caregiver right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much. You may need to have regular blood tests while on this medicine. Your caregiver uses these tests to decide how much medicine is right for you. Talk to your caregiver about your diet.
How to keep your gums from bleeding when taking blood thinners?
Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush on your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding.
Where to go after a syringe?
Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you may be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) or your hospital room.
Where to put catheters for heart surgery?
One or more extra catheters may be put in into your neck, opposite the surgery site , to monitor your heart. Other sites for the catheter include the under the collarbone area and the groin.
What is the procedure called to treat a stroke?
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is surgery to treat carotid artery disease. The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the brain. In carotid artery disease, these arteries become narrowed. This reduces blood flow to the brain and could cause a stroke. During a carotid endarterectomy, ...
What is blocking the airway in the neck?
Or new blockage that develops in the artery on the other side of your neck. Blocked airway from swelling or from bleeding in the neck. If you are allergic to or sensitive to medicines, contrast dye, iodine, or latex, tell your healthcare provider.
Can you smoke before a clot?
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a pacemaker. If you smoke, stop smoking as soon as possible before the procedure.
Can a CEA be done under local anesthesia?
The anesthesiologist will check your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery. CEA may be done under local anesthesia.
What Is Carotid Endarterectomy Surgery?
A leading cause of stroke is carotid artery disease. When plaque — a waxy substance made up of cholesterol and other materials — builds up on the inner walls of the carotid arteries in the neck, the artery can become narrowed or blocked completely so that blood can’t reach the brain.
Carotid Endarterectomy Recovery
At home, your recovery from carotid endarterectomy surgery can take a couple weeks. When you leave the hospital your doctors will provide you with discharge instructions, which include information on caring for your incision, complications to watch out for and directions for taking any medications you may need.
Managing the Risks of a Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy surgery is a generally safe procedure that can significantly reduce the possibility of a stroke, but it can have potentially serious risks, especially for people who have chronic health problems such as hypertension, diabetes or other conditions. These risks include:
