Neuroscience Center at Allegheny General Hospital

Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting (CAS)

In some cases, carotid disease can be treated by placement of a stent in the blocked artery. This procedure is done via a catheter inserted into the groin, eliminating the need for an incision in the neck. Carotid stenting is a new procedure and holds promise as a treatment of carotid stenosis for selected patients with carotid stenosis. Your physician can help you to decide whether stenting is appropriate in your particular case. AGH is one of the largest referral centers in the tri-state area for carotid angioplasty and stenting. Our multipdisciplinary team of physicians bring expertise and experience in CAS and are represented by multiple subspecialties.

Physician Staff

Azouz, Samer, MD - Medicine/Cardiology
Eles, Gustav, DO - Medicine/Cardiology
Farah, Tony G., MD - Medicine/Cardiology
Khalil, Ramzi F., MD - Medicine/Cardiology
Ku, Andrew, MD - Interventional Neuroradiology
Lasorda, David, DO - Medicine/Cardiology
Muluk, Satish C., MD - Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery/Vascular Surgery
Wholey, Mark H., MD - Diagnostic Radiology/Vascular & Interventional Radiology

Example of Carotid Stenting

This angiogram was obtained by injecting dye into the carotid
artery. Note that we have labeled the area of narrowing of the internal
carotid artery.

These pictures show one of the protection devices that we use at AGH. In a real case, this device is deployed above (beyond) the area that will be treated by stenting. The large red arrow shows the direction that blood will flow into the protection device. Note the translucent mesh, which acts to trap any emboli. The lower photograph shows the device deployed in a plastic model.

This angiogram shows the carotid after stent
placement. The stent has opened up the blockage, and there is now good flow
to the brain. Note that the protection device is still present at the time
of this picture. This device will be removed as the last step of the
procedure.