There is some worry about blockage in carotids. It can decrease blood flow to brain and even break off and cause stroke.So some want to remove clots with surgery. there is also using blood thinners to increase blood flow and help with clot desolving. I choos to use blood thinners for my wife. So far so good. All the experts say there will be another stroke in j2-5 years reguardless of what you do. It has been about 1.5 yrs into this now.