Arterectomy

Arterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove atherosclerotic plaque from an artery. Arterectomy is usually performed on the carotid, iliac, or femoral arteries.

During surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the artery and scrapes out accumulated deposits of fat, cholesterol and calcium. This helps restore normal blood flow through the artery and prevent stroke or heart attack.

Indications for arterectomy include carotid artery stenosis greater than 70%, which causes transient ischemic attacks, and iliac or femoral artery stenosis, leading to intermittent claudication.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made along the artery, after which it is divided. The atherosclerotic plaque is removed and the artery is sutured.

In the postoperative period, the patient takes anticoagulants to prevent thrombosis. Possible complications are bleeding, heart attack, stroke. With a successful operation, the blood supply to the tissues improves and the symptoms of arterial stenosis disappear.