Surgery trumps angioplasty for clearing blocked arteries to the brain, from the Harvard Heart Letter
The brain depends on the carotid arteries in the neck to deliver a steady flow of oxygen-rich blood. If one or both of these arteries becomes clogged with cholesterol-filled plaque, choking off blood flow, a procedure to reopen the vessel may be needed. But which one?
The main goal of the two procedures is to prevent a stroke, the most feared complication of a narrowed carotid artery. Both do this quite well, with similar recovery times. Yet surgery often turns out to be better than angioplasty, especially for older people, because it has lower rates of post-procedure stroke and death. Although the latest head-to-head trial comparing carotid angioplasty and surgery showed that differences between the two are getting smaller and that in expert hands angioplasty can be a viable alternative, surgery still offers a small extra margin of safety.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
