Board Certified Cardiologist & Cardiovascular Physician located in Princeton, NJ & Hamilton Square, NJ
Carotid stenting treats carotid artery stenosis (CAS), which is one of the major risk factors for a stroke. At NJ Heart & Vascular Care in Princeton and Hamilton, New Jersey, Kintur Sanghvi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, develops customized treatment plans that help you prevent CAS. Dr. Sanghvi also puts his exceptional skills and experience to work, performing a minimally invasive carotid stenting procedure to prevent a stroke. To learn more about your risks and get a preventive treatment plan, call or schedule an appointment online today.
Carotid Stenting Q & A
What is carotid stenting?
Carotid stenting is a minimally invasive procedure that treats CAS by implanting a stent. A stent is a metal mesh tube that Dr. Sanghvi inserts into a narrowed or blocked blood vessel to hold it open.
What causes carotid artery stenosis?
CAS develops due to atherosclerosis. This progressive condition begins when cholesterol gets into the artery wall. Over time, plaque forms as additional fats and calcium accumulate in the same spot.
Without treatment, the plaque gets larger and blocks the blood flowing through the carotid artery.
What prevention treatment will I receive before carotid stenting?
Dr. Sanghvi offers comprehensive care for each patient, including creating personalized treatment plans to prevent carotid artery disease and strokes.
Primary prevention
Primary prevention is implemented when you haven’t had a stroke. Options that help prevent atherosclerosis and a stroke include following a heart-healthy diet, getting more exercise, losing weight, and stopping smoking.
You may need medications to treat underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Dr. Sanghvi also prescribes medications to prevent blood clots.
Secondary prevention
If you already had a stroke, the steps you take to prevent another stroke are called secondary prevention. The treatments are essentially the same as primary prevention, with the addition of closely monitoring and treating other chronic diseases such as atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea.
When you’re at risk for a stroke due to CAS, Dr. Sanghvi closely monitors your health to determine if preventive care alone is all you need or if you need carotid stenting to restore blood flow.
What happens during carotid stenting?
Dr. Sanghvi takes two approaches to carotid stenting. They’re both done by making a small incision in the carotid artery, inserting a catheter, and guiding it to the blocked area.
During carotid stenting procedures, Dr. Sanghvi uses specialized distal protection devices that prevent tiny pieces of plaque from traveling through the artery to your brain.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting
In cases of severe blockage, Dr. Sanghvi first performs an angioplasty. Once the catheter is at the blockage, he inflates a balloon. The balloon opens the artery and restores blood flow by pushing the plaque against the artery wall. Then he implants the stent in the newly opened area.
Self-expanding stents
Some patients may only need to have the stent inserted. As the stent expands to fit the artery, it effectively pushes the plaque against the artery wall.
Whether you need preventive care or carotid stenting, holistic care is available at NJ Heart & Vascular Care. Call or book an appointment online today.
