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Carotid Artery Problems: Surgery for TIAs

You and your doctor will discuss the best course of treatment for you. Whether you need surgery depends on your symptoms and how severely narrowed your carotid artery is. If you have mild narrowing but have had TIAs, you may need surgery. Even if you haven’t had any TIA symptoms, your risk of having a stroke may still be high if one of your arteries is severely narrowed. In that case, surgery also may be needed.

Cutaway view of artery
Mild narrowing

Cutaway view of artery
Moderate narrowing

Cutaway view of artery
Severe narrowing

Doctor and patient

Your Treatment Plan

If surgery is needed, you’ll have a carotid endarterectomy. The surgery removes plaque, reopening and smoothing your carotid artery. This reduces the chance of emboli forming in the artery and causing a stroke.

Date Last Reviewed: 1/15/2007
Date Last Modified: 7/9/2002