At Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, carotid artery disease care is part of a comprehensive stroke prevention program. Our cardiovascular specialists work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that will help you manage your disease and lower your risk of stroke.
When you come for carotid artery disease care at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, our team will determine the best treatment for your condition, which may include medical therapy (medicines), minimally invasive procedures or surgery. For patients who have a significant risk of stroke due to carotid artery disease, we are able to reduce that risk by 70 to 80 percent using minimally invasive stenting or surgery.
How is carotid artery disease diagnosed?
Our team uses sophisticated diagnostic vascular testing to determine whether you have carotid artery disease. We use advanced ultrasound tools to see whether the carotid arteries have narrowed and how much plaque has built up in the arteries.
What type of conditions do you treat?
Our team has expertise in treating carotid artery disease, which happens when the carotid arteries – the main blood vessels to the brain – become narrowed. This narrowing is usually caused by a buildup of plaque, called atherosclerosis, in the arteries. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can lead to stroke. Often blocked carotid arteries means plaque buildup is present elsewhere in the circulatory system. So, when we find carotid artery disease, we also treat the rest of the circulatory system for plaque buildup as well.Conditions & Treatments
- Carotid Dissection
- Anastomotic Stenosis (Stricture)
- Carotid Artery Angioplasty
- Carotid Stent
- Endarterectomy
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5 mm
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Stroke risk
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70 - 99%
How is carotid artery disease treated at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute?
When treating carotid artery disease, our team focuses on improving blood flow in the arteries and preventing plaque buildup.
Treatments may include:
- Medical therapy with anticoagulant medicine or blood pressure medications, which is the first line of treatment.
- Carotid artery stenting (CAS).
- Carotid endarterectomy (CEA).
- Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), using a hybrid stent.
Who benefits from this program?
When you come to Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute for carotid artery disease care, our goal is to lower your risk for stroke by improving blood flow and stopping the buildup of plaque. You may benefit from treatment if you:
- Have been diagnosed with carotid artery disease.
- Have risk factors for developing disease, such as high blood pressure or plaque buildup in the arteries.
- Have had a stroke and need treatment to prevent additional strokes.
"What’s remarkable about TCAR is that patients tolerate this flow reversal extremely well,” says Dr. Pereda. “This procedure has the lowest amount of ‘hits’ to the brain of any of the other procedures, including traditional carotid artery surgery.”
Our Approach
When you come to Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute for carotid artery disease care, you can expect:
- A comprehensive approach to care, beginning with a thorough review of your entire health history to determine the right diagnosis and best treatment plan.
- A commitment to researching and developing new treatments to improve carotid artery disease care and improved results for patients following treatment.
- A team effort toward your care, as we bring together specialists with a wide range of expertise to decide the best treatment for you.
Meet The Team
Carotid Artery Disease Clinical Trials
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and its physicians have been involved with many groundbreaking clinical trials for carotid artery disease, including the CREST Trial and its successor, CREST II, both nationwide trials led by the National Institutes of Health. If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, talk with your doctor or view a list of trials.