TOP Doctors for Carotid Artery Surgery

In Germany, about 250,000 people suffer a stroke each year. Speech disorders, paralysis and lifelong disabilities can be the consequences. Many strokes can be attributed to a narrowing of the carotid artery, a so-called carotid stenosis.

Narrowing of the carotid artery due to calcification (plaques) can be demonstrated during an ultrasound examination. However, a general screening for such bottlenecks to prevent strokes is not useful, according to general expert opinion. Rather, it would unnecessarily burden many people, as the incidence of high-grade carotid stenosis without symptoms is low and the risk of stroke is low. Experts therefore recommend screening studies to limit risk groups. These include, for example, people with coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral arterial occlusive disease, or abdominal aortic aneurysm, and of course, those who have already had strokes or those who show the corresponding neurological symptoms.

The treatment strategy of narrow carotid arteries also depends in particular on whether there have already been temporary neurological deficits. But also the degree of vascular constriction and the age of those affected plays a role. Put simply, especially the healthier and younger ones benefit from surgery. The higher the stenoses and the more pronounced the symptoms, the greater the benefits of surgery.

Carotid stenosis surgery should only be performed by specialists in designated centers. In principle, two different procedures have been established: on the one hand, the more than 20 years proven open surgery on the neck, the endarterectomy, and on the other hand a procedure using a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin. In open surgery, vascular surgeons release the diseased artery, cut it up, and peel the calcifications out. Once the bottleneck is removed, the blood can flow freely back to the brain. Catheter intervention involves the advancement of a special catheter from the groin to the cervical artery. There, the constriction is inflated with a balloon and a stent made of metal, a so-called stent used. He should prevent a renewed growth.

The decision to undergo surgery must be carefully considered because the surgery is not without its risks. In both procedures, parts of the calcification can be flushed into the brain and cause a stroke.

On the page, you can see the best carotid artery surgeons. International patients pick these specialists for carotid artery surgery due to the following reasons:

• Innovative treatment methods
• Minimally invasive surgeries
• Up to 95% success rate. The doctors listed below apply the latest techniques to achieve such a result.
• International accreditation. The carotid artery surgery facilities have international healthcare accreditations and certificates. It means that they provide the carotid artery surgery in accordance with the strict world treatment protocols.