Blockage of carotid artery with no intervention till 80% blocked?

Thank you thank you for such a valuable information I am looking at two carotid arteries over 70% blocked

@heidemarie
Welcome to Mayo Connect!
Finding the best doctor in any specialty is difficult. We usually advise other members to find a University Medical Center.
I believe Philadelphia has more than one.
Check their Cardiovascular departments and compare.
You can also ask your primary care physician for recommendations.

Thank you for the information. That is exactly what I am afraid of. Now just find the right surge an. I live in the Philadelphia area. Any recommendations?

@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.

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

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.....

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.

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.

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 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!