Atherosclerosis is a disease that builds up deposits inside arteries. These deposits consist of fat (cholesterol) and scar tissue. Later on, they gather calcium and become hard like egg shells. This collection narrows the arteries. As a result, blood flow is restricted. Endarterectomy is a surgery done to remove this build-up and improve blood flow. Surgery may involve:

• Carotid arteries in the neck that supply the brain—most common use of endarterectomy
• Aorta—a major artery that runs from the heart to the abdomen
• Iliac and femoral arteries—supply the legs
• Renal (kidney) arteries

Bilateral Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis

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This surgery is done to remove the build-up of deposits and improve blood flow. After the surgery, the symptoms of reduced blood flow (eg, stroke, digestive problems, leg cramps) should end.

If you are planning to have endarterectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
• Infection

Some factor that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Poor overall health
• Advanced age
• Plaque build-up in other vessels
• Other serious diseases (eg, heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer)

Be sure to discuss these risks with your surgeon before the procedure.

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
• Nausea and/or vomiting that you can't control with the medications you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
• Pain that you can't control with the medications you've been given
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Unable to urinate
• Dizziness or weakness
• Severe headaches, any problems with speech, vision
• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain