Carotid Endarterectomy

​A carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure to reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke.

An ischaemic stroke or “brain attack” may occur when major arteries in the neck (carotid arteries) are narrowed by fatty deposits (plaques).

The narrowing of the carotid arteries can damage the brain when blood flow is reduced or when fatty deposits break off and block arteries in the brain or eye.

CEA is recommended if there is severe narrowing in the carotid artery with or without the following symptoms:

• Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• Sudden transient blindness and blurring of vision for one eye (amaurosis fugax)
• Sudden difficulty in talking or understanding speech

Tests to confirm the degree of blockage of the major arteries in the neck will be ordered.