McLeod Regional Medical Center is a recognized approved facility for carotid artery stenting. The first carotid artery stenting procedure at McLeod was performed in March of 2001.

Carotid artery stenting is a procedure in which a vascular interventional team inserts a stent (a tiny, metal scaffold) to keep the carotid artery propped open thereby increasing blood flow in areas blocked by plaque.

The carotid arteries are located on each side of the neck and their function is to supply blood to the brain.

When plaque builds up in the artery, and blood flow is reduced, it can cause a stroke.

“With the carotid artery stenting procedure, the risk for a stroke during or after the procedure is much higher. When the catheter device, used to deploy the stent is inserted through the blockage there is a risk that a piece of plaque can break off causing a stroke. Protection devices are used during the process to try and minimize the risk,” added Dr. Cunningham.

While carotid endarterectomy is the preferred treatment method, and the majority of patients diagnosed with carotid artery disease would benefit from the endarterectomy, there is a small group of patients who are better suited for the carotid artery stenting.

Some Patients who Benefit from Carotid Artery Stenting are:

• Patients with a blockage in their carotid artery due to scarring from a trauma to the artery or from a previous surgery. This procedure poses minimal risk since the artery is not full of plaque.
• Patients who have previously undergone the endarterectomy surgical procedure and have developed a new narrowing of the artery.

Only a vascular surgeon is authorized to determine whether a patient is a candidate for the surgical or stenting repair.

“At McLeod, patients who are candidates for carotid artery stenting undergo a thorough evaluation and case discussion with myself, a neurosurgeon and an interventional radiologist,” said Dr. Cunningham.

To perform carotid artery stenting, Dr. Cunningham obtains needle access into an artery in the groin area, much like the way a heart catheterization is performed. The catheter device is guided, using x-ray imaging equipment to the blocked section of the carotid artery.

“This procedure is a team effort between myself and a McLeod Interventional Radiologist,” said Dr. Cunningham. “This is such a delicate procedure that it is to the patient’s benefit to have two experienced, credentialed physicians working side by side to ensure the proper placement of the stent with minimal trauma to the artery.”

“I would suggest to any patient considering carotid artery stenting that they consult with an experienced vascular surgeon,” said Dr. Cunningham. “It is important that patients look at all the benefits and risks of each treatment option and discuss them with their physician before making their decision.”