Carotid endarterectomy - Getting ready for a carotid endarterectomy

Before being admitted for surgery, you will have a careful pre-operative assessment.

If a carotid endarterectomy has been arranged in advance, this assessment will usually be carried out in a hospital pre-assessment clinic a few days before you are due to have the procedure. In some cases, you will be asked to attend the pre-assessment clinic on the day the operation is scheduled.

Alternatively, you may be seen in a specialist clinic if you have recently had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). At these clinics, tests to check the health of your arteries will be carried out and you may be admitted for surgery immediately if your carotid arteries are found to be severely narrowed.

Pre-admission clinic

You will have a physical examination and be asked about your medical history at a pre-admission clinic. Any further tests or investigations that are needed will also be carried out at this time.

The pre-admission clinic is a good opportunity for you to ask your treatment team about the procedure, although you can discuss any concerns that you have at any time.

If you are taking any medication (prescribed or otherwise), it would be useful to bring it with you to the pre-admission clinic so the details can be noted.

You will be asked whether you've had anaesthetic (painkilling medication) in the past and whether you experienced any problems or side effects, such as feeling sick.

You will also be asked whether you are allergic to anything to avoid a reaction to any medication that you may need during your treatment.

Your treatment team will ask you about your teeth, including whether you wear dentures, have caps or a plate. This is because during the operation you may need to have a tube put down your throat to help you breathe and loose teeth could be dangerous.

Preparing for surgery

Before having a carotid endarterectomy, your surgeon will discuss how you should prepare. They may give you the following advice:

stop smoking – smoking will increase your risk of developing a chest infection, can delay healing, and increase your risk of developing a blood clot
watch your weight – if you are overweight, losing weight will be recommended, but as strenuous exercise could be dangerous, you will need to do this by dieting; your GP will be able to advise you about how to lose weight
gentle post-op exercise – being active can help your recovery, but you should not overdo it; your surgeon or GP can advise you about how much you can do
think positive – a positive mental attitude can help you deal with the stress of surgery and aid your recovery