blockage of carotid artery

@tskeane
The newest technology that I am familiar with is the TCAR procedure. The beauty of this procedure versus conventional procedures is that the blood flow is reversed capturing virtually all of the the potential stroke causing debris. Although Cardiovascular surgeons have done this procedure personally I’d feel more comfortable about Carotid artery surgery if I consulted with a Neurosurgeon and/or a Vascular surgeon about it, overly cautious perhaps. Have you been evaluated by an Interventional Cardiologist? Many people live normal lives with a 100% blockage. Have you had a stroke? I would assume your eating a super heart healty diet to help keep your other arteries healthy. Do you have any other medical issues?
Wishing you the best,
Jake

Hi tskeane, hope all is well with you, I do understand your concern I had the same when I was at 75% blockage what they said to me made no sense why wait until it is more blocked that what it is now? I do know someone who is blocked at 100% on one of the arteries in her neck and they wont touch it now.. they all confirm that there are other pathways there for the blood to supply your brain area with the needed blood.I know it is not an ideal way to live with this.... I actually checked on having the "TCAR" procedure done and at the time my vascular surgeon was not willing to use it because there was no past track record of success with it. I did have the carotid Endarterectomy done and so far is was a great success. I am not sure where you are I am in clearwater florida and of course I feel like i had the best surgeon in the world everyone I talked to really liked and trusted him. If I can do anything to help you please let me know, be well.....

Thanks Jake for the info. I will do research into that procedure. I do have a neurosurgeon. He is following my left carotid artery closely. I also have a cardiologist and a Interventional Cardiologist not to mention several other doctors as well. The right carotid has been 100% blocked for two years now. I have been doing ok, or so I thought until my eyeglasses broke and had an eye exam. I've been told there is nothing that can be done about the 100% blocked carotid artery. I just find it so hard to believe with all the medical advances that have been made. I'm not ready to lose my eyesight along with pain from dying retina tissue. That's why I joined this board to see if anyone has any information. I've not been able to find many answers. My main medical issue is obviously high cholesterol and high triglycerides which is causing all the plaque problems.It's a hereditary condition with me. Bad genes and DNA. I am taking Repatha injections. I recently had a stent placed in my left subclavian artery because of blockage. No stroke (knock on wood). I'm seeing my regular cardiologist this Monday. I would like to have some info to talk with him. Since this is a new problem, I'm not sure what he will recommend. Your post was very helpful. Thank you!

Thanks for your encouragement! I've had two endarterectomies on both carotid arteries. The right one went to 100% blocked really fast, even after the endarterectomy, which took all my doctors by surprise as I had frequent follow ups and tests. The good news is that my body has made a lot of collateral circulation to help with the blockages. With the lack of flow to the right retina because of the blocked carotid artery, my eyesight is in jeopardy. I'm hoping to get some info about what can be done. I've been told there is nothing you can do with a 100% blockage as well. I'm hoping someone has been in a similar position and can give some info. Thanks again!

Thanks for your post and your concern. I am seeing several docs for this. Unfortunately, they are all saying nothing can be done for 100% blocked artery. I'm finding that hard to believe in this day and age which is why I am searching out answers on Mayo Clinic's message board. If there are answers, I feel like Mayo Clinic may be my best hope.

Thanks Linda for your concern and especially prayers! I've had two surgeries on both carotid arteries. I'm not in any immediate danger. The concern is the lack of blood flow to my right eye, specifically to the retina. The eye doc said blood flow needs to be restored to the eye. I've been researching if anything can be done. Thank you again for the prayers. That means a lot to me.

Thank you Erika! I am thinking Mayo Clinic may be an option for me. I have an appointment with my cardiologist this Monday to discuss the new problem with the right eye and retina and will see what he says. Thank you for the information. I need to keep all options available as I'm a fighter and not ready to give in to this.

That is good to hear. At least you know what needs to be done and most of All you are NOT in immediate danger. Praying you find the answers you are searching for. Big Hugs. Been thinking about you since yesterday. You are still in my prayers. God Bless you and yours Always.....

I went for an eye exam just a regular eye checkup. The doctor told me the scan of my eye showed that I had a stroke. She called my Primary Doctor who called and told me to go to the ER which I did. Ended up in the hospital for 2 nights. I was told my right Carotid artery is 85% blocked. Have an appointment with a surgeon on the 31st! I am worried about surgery. What is my chance of having another stroke during surgry. Has anyone been in that position? Need advice

@heidemarie, a quick suggestion! Be sure the surgeon is using the latest surgical technique for cleaning out a Carotid artery. A friend of mine had this kind of surgery a few short years ago, and he has been an invalid ever since -- limited both physically and mentally, in and out of the hospital a few times each year. Why? Using old and careless surgical techniques, the operation kicked loose calcium granules and other waste products contained in the blockage material; those junk particles dropped into arteries opened by the surgical knife and soon moved into critical blood pathways in his head and brain, causing some form of a stroke.

As I understand from talking to him, there is new technology that connects the blocked artery to a pump and filter to which any waste particles are diverted and removed, and the clean blood is immediately fed back into the ascending artery headed for the brain, the eyes, the ears, etc. He tells everybody about his plight and recommends only the new technology for surgical cleaning of Carotid arteries. Check above for words from @jakedduck1 on what he calls TCAR.