Pronounced: END-art-er-EK-toe-mee
Atherosclerosis is a disease that builds up deposits inside arteries. These deposits consist of fat (cholesterol) and scar tissue. Later on, they gather calcium and become hard like egg shells. This collection narrows the arteries. As a result, blood flow is restricted. Endarterectomy is a surgery to remove this build-up and improve blood flow. Surgery may involve:
This surgery is done to remove the build-up of deposits and improve blood flow. After the surgery, the symptoms of reduced blood flow (eg, stroke , digestive problems, leg cramps) should end.
If you are planning to have endarterectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
Before the surgery, your doctor will:
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
In addition, you may be instructed to:
You may have:
Incisions will be made over the diseased part of the artery. The location will depend on the artery that is being unblocked.
In the abdomen and legs, the doctor will clamp the artery above the obstruction during the repair. The lower half of the body can go without a blood supply for long enough to do the surgery. If surgery is done on the neck, the doctor may first reroute (bypass) the blood around the surgical site. This will keep blood going to the brain.
The doctor will then clean out the inside of the artery, being careful not to have small fragments of the deposits break off and flow downstream. Once the artery is cleaned out, the skin will be closed with sutures or staples.
Several hours (depending on the severity of the disease)
After surgery, there will be pain from the incisions. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with the pain.
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is one day to one week. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer, however, if complications arise.
While you are recovering at the hospital, you may receive the following care:
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society
http://www.pvss.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/
References:
Atherosclerosis endarterectomy. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/endarterectomy/vs_atherosclerosis_endarterectomy.aspx. Accessed on January 11, 2009.
Endarterectomy. Society for Vascular Surgery website. Available at: http://www.vascularweb.org/_CONTRIBUTION_PAGES/Patient_Information/NorthPoint/Endarterectomy.html. Accessed August 19, 2005.
Greenfield, Lazar J, Mulholland MW, et al. Aortoiliac Disease in Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2001.
University of Michigan Health System website. Available at: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/tests/testa13.htm. Accessed August 19, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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