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well the doc call and said pretty much what you said leave the right side alone and cut the rightside but they want to wait a week or so to let the brain heal some-- they don't to overload the brain with to much blood or some crap like that but he did say that i would only be in hospital for a day or two( which is fnn great news) he wants me to come in and talk some more-- any of you medical people know dangerous this procedure is?? should I BE WORRIED??
well the doc call and said pretty much what you said leave the right side alone and cut the rightside but they want to wait a week or so to let the brain heal some-- they don't to overload the brain with to much blood or some crap like that but he did say that i would only be in hospital for a day or two( which is fnn great news) he wants me to come in and talk some more-- any of you medical people know dangerous this procedure is?? should I BE WORRIED??
OK-
Are they talking about opening the carotid artery and cleaning it out-
CALLED A CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY
or
A "CLOSED" Xray procedure involving a tube inserted into an artery in the groin that threads up to the neck.They will then insert a "STENT" to improve the blood flow through the carotid artery to the brain
CALLED CAROTID STENTING.
Depending on the shape of your carotid artery (they will have this from the carotid angiogram-if they've done one already) you may not be suitable for STENTING, only the ENDARTERECTOMY
I would ask
1. How many of these procedures they do a year and how experienced the person doing them is - REASON -HUGE VARIATIONS IN OUTCOMES DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE OF PERSON DOING IT
2. What are the risks involved-stroke will be the main one.
3. How high is the risk FOR YOU
4. What's THEIR STROKE RATE
4. How does the risk of the procedure compare TO DOING NOTHING WITH THE ARTERY AND JUST MANAGING RISK FACTORS SUCH AS BP,CHOLESTEROL ETC
well he said their going to cut the throat and clean out the artery-- they got my bp down from 190/120 to 140/80(they have had a hell of time with my bp for the last 3-4 yrs)
as of today my left side feels pretty good but is still weak as hell-- he wants me to take it easy but thats a little hard being on the farm by myself- them cows like to eat and I have to start planting before you know it
It will be an incision .....and GOOD LUCK....can you get some temp help on the farm???
Quote:
Originally Posted by the old man
well he said their going to cut the throat and clean out the artery-- they got my bp down from 190/120 to 140/80(they have had a hell of time with my bp for the last 3-4 yrs)
as of today my left side feels pretty good but is still weak as hell-- he wants me to take it easy but thats a little hard being on the farm by myself- them cows like to eat and I have to start planting before you know it
I had a stroke five years ago due to a 95+% blockage in my left carotid artery. My blood pressure was uncontrolled at the time and a piece of the blockage broke off and traveled to my brain.
A thoracic surgeon performed an endarterectomy* on that carotid artery.
I lost the use of my right arm and leg for a while. I still cant write (although I can print a few words before my right hand gets too tired) and I cant drive very far -- but I didnt waste any time feeling sorry for myself. I joined some stroke survivor forums and saw how many people were much worse off than I was. I also subscribed to STROKE CONNECTION magazine...free for stroke survivors.
I understand that surgeons wont perform endarterectomies on carotid arteries that are totally blocked because of the danger of the patient's having a serious stroke during the surgery. However, people can live for many years with a blocked carotid artery. (My mother has done so for 20+ years.)
The endarderectomy is nothing to fear...any more than any other surgery. I tend to swell greatly at any surgical site and my throat did swell up the night after the surgery. That was scary because I felt like I was drowning in my saliva. If I ever have to go through that procedure again, I'll be sure to let the surgeon know to give me something to reduce the swelling ASAP. Good Luck! And please dont feel sorry for yourself. Many people who've had strokes would give anything to be in your shoes.
Best wishes....and be glad we have this amazing surgery available now for your benefit!
Give us an update when you can~
gbh
quote=the old man;18829280]well, surgery in the morning ---we'll see how it goes-- they say a day or 2 in the hospital[/quote]
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