Carotid Stenting
Introduction to Carotid Stenting
Carotid artery is the artery in the neck supplying blood to the brain from the heart. Atherosclerosis of the carotid artery is responsible for causing stroke in about 20% of all patients with stroke worldwide.
Atheromatous deposits and plaques cause blockage of blood supply to the brain in high risk individuals. These high risk individuals include smokers, those with high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension. Eventually, these deposits become critical and cause stroke by either small pieces breaking off to the brain or by completely blocking blood supply to the brain. Narrowing of the carotid arteries may affect blood flow to the brain and increase stroke risk. If you would like a visual explanation of how carotid artery disease develops, how plaque narrows the arteries, and how carotid stenting helps restore blood flow to the brain, explore our Carotid Artery Disease (CAD) & Stroke Image Library.
Carotid Stenting in Singapore: A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Carotid Artery Disease and Stroke Prevention
Carotid stenting is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure used to treat significant narrowing of the carotid arteries, helping restore blood flow to the brain and reduce the risk of stroke.
The procedure involves placing a small mesh stent inside the affected artery to keep it open and improve circulation. It may be recommended for selected patients with carotid artery disease after a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms, imaging findings, and individual stroke risk.
Not sure whether carotid stenting is right for you? Our Carotid Artery Disease Decision-Making Guide explains how specialists determine when treatment is recommended, when monitoring may be appropriate, and what factors influence treatment decisions.
Carotid Stenting Treatment
Carotid artery blockage can be treated with open surgery or by placing stent within the artery. Carotid stenting is performed using minimally invasive catheter-based techniques. without resorting to open surgery and incision in the neck. During the procedure:
- A catheter is inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin.
- Advanced imaging is used to guide the catheter to the narrowed carotid artery.
- A balloon may be used to widen the narrowed segment.
- A stent is then positioned to help keep the artery open and maintain blood flow to the brain.
The procedure is performed by specialists experienced in endovascular and neurovascular interventions.
No general anaesthesia is required with most patients discharged from hospital within 1-2 days. Newer devices and techniques with experienced hands have made the technique extremely safe and effective for the patients. Multiple studies and trials over last few years have shown carotid stenting to be as effective and safe as open surgery. Not only is it minimally invasive with minimal downtime, another advantage is that multiple blockages can be treated at the same time. In addition, any stroke causing clot can be removed at the same time from the brain during the procedure to help establish normal blood flow to the brain.
When Is Carotid Stenting Recommended?
Carotid stenting may be considered for patients with significant carotid artery narrowing, particularly when the risk of stroke is increased or when intervention is considered more appropriate than continued medical management alone.
Treatment recommendations depend on several factors, including:
- Severity of carotid artery narrowing
- Previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- Overall health and medical history
- Imaging findings
- Individual procedural risks
For a detailed explanation of how treatment decisions are made, visit our Carotid Artery Disease Decision-Making Guide.
Benefits of Carotid Stenting
Potential benefits include:
- Improved blood flow to the brain
- Reduced risk of future stroke
- Minimally invasive treatment with no large surgical incision
- Shorter recovery compared with many open surgical procedures
- Personalised treatment for selected patients
Recovery After Carotid Stenting
Most patients recover quickly after carotid stenting, although individual recovery varies depending on overall health and the reason for treatment.
Recovery typically includes:
- Short hospital observation
- Medication review
- Follow-up imaging
- Lifestyle modifications
- Long-term stroke prevention
Explore:
Choosing the Right Stroke Specialist in Singapore
Successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis and an experienced multidisciplinary team.
Whether you are seeking an initial consultation or a second opinion, choosing a centre experienced in carotid artery disease and neurovascular intervention can help ensure that all appropriate treatment options are considered.
Explore:
- What Are the Centres in Singapore for Carotid Artery Stenting to Prevent Future Strokes?
- Which Singapore Centres Are Known for Comprehensive Stroke, Heart and Peripheral Vessel Risk Assessments?
- Neurologist, Neurosurgeon or Neurointerventional Specialist – Who Treats Stroke?
- Brain Doctor Singapore – Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Specialist
- Neurointerventional Care Specialist
If you are exploring treatment options or seeking a second opinion before carotid stenting, a comprehensive vascular assessment at our specialized stroke clinic in Singapore can help clarify your diagnosis and identify the most appropriate treatment pathway.
Related Decision-Making Guides
Every patient’s condition is different. Explore our decision-making guides to understand when treatment may be appropriate and how specialists determine the most suitable management plan.
Carotid Artery Disease Decision-Making
Learn how specialists assess carotid artery disease, evaluate stroke risk, and determine whether monitoring, medical therapy, or carotid stenting is appropriate.
Stroke Management & Prevention Decision-Making
Understand how stroke symptoms are evaluated, what happens during emergency assessment, and how long-term prevention strategies are personalised.
Intracranial Stenting Decision-Making
Discover how intracranial stenting treatment decisions are made for narrowing of the arteries inside the brain, including the role of imaging, medical therapy, and minimally invasive intervention.
Brain Aneurysm Decision-Making
Explore how brain aneurysms are assessed, when monitoring is appropriate, and when neurointerventional treatment may be recommended.
Concerned About Carotid Artery Disease or Your Risk of Stroke?
If you have been diagnosed with carotid artery narrowing, experienced a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or have been advised that you may require carotid stenting, a comprehensive neurovascular assessment can help determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Request a Carotid Artery Disease Assessment
- Carotid Artery Disease Evaluation
- Stroke & TIA Risk Assessment
- Carotid Ultrasound & Imaging Review
- Medical vs Intervention Decision Planning
- Second Opinion for Carotid Stenosis
Learn more about carotid artery disease assessment, stroke prevention, and minimally invasive neurovascular treatments at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Manish Taneja for a personalised evaluation.
Stroke Resources
Stroke Prevention Tips: How to Avoid High Cholesterol
Controllable risk factors are lifestyle choices that can be changed to reduce the risk of having a stroke including managing your cholesterol.
We’ve Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management
Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a “brain attack”, affecting a blood vessel and surrounding brain function. When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack). Common risk factors include high blood pressure, which increases strain on the blood vessel and raises the likelihood of a stroke. Symptoms can vary, but may include difficulty in speaking and other changes depending on how blood flow is affected. Understanding risk factors and acting early can make a difference. It’s important to work closely with a specialist to monitor your health and reduce stroke risk.
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Stroke Programs
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Explore our brain aneurysm resources. Understanding a brain aneurysm often involves learning across several areas.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
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