Board certified by the American Board of Radiology, Dr. James Summa is an interventional radiologist with more than 20 years of professional experience. As an interventional radiologist, Dr. James Summa is trained in an array of minimally invasive treatments, including carotid artery stenting.
Located on either side of the neck, the carotid arteries carry blood to the brain. When the flow in these major blood vessels is impeded by atherosclerosis, a life-threatening stroke can occur. Atherosclerosis is also known as hardening of the arteries, and it develops when plaque accumulates in the artery walls and narrows them. Without treatment, complete blockage of these arteries can occur, or a piece of plaque can break off and block other arteries in the brain. Angioplasty and stenting can help reduce a patient's risk of these events, and the procedures are often recommended when the patient has more than a 70 percent blockage or has already suffered a stroke.
Guided by moving X-ray, angioplasty involves threading a small tube from an artery in the groin up to the carotid artery. A balloon is then fed through this catheter and expanded at the site of the blockage, opening the artery and restoring proper blood flow to the brain. Next, a mesh tube called a stent is inserted to serve as a scaffolding to keep the artery open. The balloon is deflated and removed, and the stent is left in place. The procedure usually is performed under local anesthesia with the addition of intravenous relaxation medications.
Located on either side of the neck, the carotid arteries carry blood to the brain. When the flow in these major blood vessels is impeded by atherosclerosis, a life-threatening stroke can occur. Atherosclerosis is also known as hardening of the arteries, and it develops when plaque accumulates in the artery walls and narrows them. Without treatment, complete blockage of these arteries can occur, or a piece of plaque can break off and block other arteries in the brain. Angioplasty and stenting can help reduce a patient's risk of these events, and the procedures are often recommended when the patient has more than a 70 percent blockage or has already suffered a stroke.
Guided by moving X-ray, angioplasty involves threading a small tube from an artery in the groin up to the carotid artery. A balloon is then fed through this catheter and expanded at the site of the blockage, opening the artery and restoring proper blood flow to the brain. Next, a mesh tube called a stent is inserted to serve as a scaffolding to keep the artery open. The balloon is deflated and removed, and the stent is left in place. The procedure usually is performed under local anesthesia with the addition of intravenous relaxation medications.