The Rutgers Health Cerebrovascular Disease program provides diagnoses, management guidelines, and treatment for patients with conditions that affect blood vessels of the brain, chest, and neck, as well as cerebral circulation (movement of blood through arteries and veins that supply the brain). The program works closely with the Rutgers Health acute stroke program to provide timely and accurate diagnosis and management of carotid artery disease.

Our surgeons offer traditional carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting, and participate in clinical trials for stenting procedures. The program’s medical team include vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, and neurologists.

We treat many complex cerebrovascular problems, such as:

• Acute stroke
• Atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease
• Carotid aneurysms
• Carotid body tumors
• Vertebrobasilar disease

Carotid Artery Interventions

The most common cause of a stroke is a sudden blockage of blood flow to an artery in the brain. The blockage is usually from plaque or a clot that has travelled to the brain from the carotid artery in the neck. Treatment for a narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery may include surgery to prevent a stroke from occurring. Patients who have already had strokes can also benefit from surgery, with options including carotid artery surgery (endarterectomy) and minimally invasive carotid artery stenting.

Carotid Surgery

Carotid artery surgery often involves administering general anesthesia and continuous monitoring of brain waves. An alternative is to perform surgery with regional cervical nerve block under local anesthesia.

Carotid Stenting

Our surgeons provide carotid artery stenting as an alternative to traditional surgery. It helps open a narrow carotid artery by placing a small, expandable tube (a stent) in the artery. Our program has recognition as a statewide leader in this surgery.

Physicians who serve the Rutgers Health Cerebrovascular Disease program are on the faculty of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, a part of Rutgers University, one of the top research institutions in America. Our doctors are active in research and teach about all aspects of conditions that affect blood vessels and circulation. Each brings leading-edge knowledge from the classroom to the exam room.

If you or a loved one is in need of treatment for carotid artery disease and similar disorders, the Rutgers Health Cerebrovascular Disease program can provide the best possible treatment.