Carotid Artery Stenting

Carotid Artery Stenting is a minimally invasive technique to treat carotid artery disease, which occurs when one or both of the carotid arteries in the neck become narrowed or blocked by plaque.

During the procedure, the Neurointerventional Radiologist inserts a catheter through the groin and threads it to the neck. A small balloon is inserted into the blocked artery and inflated. A slotted metal tube called a stent is then placed inside the artery to hold it open. The stent remains inside the artery permanently.

The technique is performed under general anesthesia and takes just a few hours. Our Interventional Neuroradiologists perform this minimally invasive procedure in collaboration with neurologists and neurosurgeons at Inova Fairfax Hospital.