Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid artery disease, also known as carotid artery stenosis, refers to a narrowing of the carotid arteries, the two large blood vessels in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the front part of the brain. The narrowing is caused by arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, in which waxy, fatty deposits known as plaques attach to the walls of the arteries. Over time, these plaques obstruct blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke, which is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Because carotid artery disease develops slowly, there may be no signs or symptoms until the arteries are almost completely blocked. The first outward sign may be a stroke.
Why UAB
At UAB Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute specialists provide expert treatment of multiple circulatory conditions using a broad range of services including medical therapy, endovascular therapy, and surgical reconstruction.
When you choose UAB to care for your vascular condition, you gain access to physicians who are leaders in their field for some of the most complex vascular conditions and who practice medicine with the latest cutting-edge treatment options. They have a highly successful track record of treating vascular disease. We maintain a robust research area that also manages clinical trials, which often lead to new modes of advanced therapy long before these treatments are available to the general public.
The Cardiovascular Institute experts at UAB work with each patient to arrive at a specific diagnosis and treatment plan based on medical history, physical exam, and non-invasive testing including ultrasound, Doppler with plethysmography, CT scans, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
UAB’s Cardiovascular Institute physicians include specialty-trained surgeons and medical doctors, offering both open and endovascular surgery options. These experts collaborate in your care, which is optimized with the most innovative treatments available in Alabama and the most modern facilities and equipment.
VIDEOS
Meet the Team: Benjamin Pearce, MD
Thanks in part to his name, Dr. Pearce was inspired by the movie “M*A*S*H” to become a “smart aleck surgeon” from a young age. He is the program director of vascular surgery training programs at UAB Medicine and specializes in endovascular surgery.
Diabetes and Your Feet
Diabetes and Your Feet from UAB Health System on Vimeo.
Aortic Valve Replacement
Adam Beck - Aortic Aneurysm
Dr. Cribbs on Business Break
Zaidan's Story: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome/Heart Transplant
Ernest Tate/TAVR Procedure - Chapter 2
The surgeons and interventional cardiologists of UAB's structural heart program repaired a serious heart issue with minimally invasive techniques instead of traditional open heart surgery.
James Moebes: TAVR Procedure
Wade Gladden - Aortic Valve Stenosis
Louise Calhoun - Percutaneous Paravalvular Periprosthetic Leak Repair
When leaks around Louise Calhoun’s replacement mitral valve kept her from walking more than a few feet before needing to rest, UAB cardiologists used a minimally invasive procedure to repair the leaks and give Calhoun back her independence.
After two heart attacks and ten stents, Rick Vinson made significant strides toward a heart healthy lifestyle with help from UAB’s Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation program.
Rick Vinson - Cardiac Rehab
Charles Estes - Aortic Valve Stenosis
89 year old Charles Estes was not about to let a heart valve problem slow him down. The WWII vet volunteered to be the first person in Alabama to undergo a new minimally invasive procedure for aortic valve replacement.
More than 20,000 adults enter the Adult Congenital Heart Disease population every year, but 60% are lost to follow-up care.
Care of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Transcathether Aortic Valve Replacement procedure puts Selma, Alabama's first black police chief closer to tending his farm.
TAVR procedure restores ailing heart valves
Varicose Veins FAQ
Varicose Vein FAQ from UAB Health System on Vimeo.
Spider Veins FAQ
Spider Vein FAQ from UAB Health System on Vimeo.
Heart Acton Video Tour
Heart Acton (fixed) from UAB Health System on Vimeo.
Take a video tour of the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Acton Road.


RELATED SERVICES
CLINICAL TRIALS
UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for Carotid Artery Disease. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.
View Clinical TrialsMORE INFO
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Study shows some heart disease patients implanted with a VAD have better survival and are more likely to receive a heart transplant
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UAB Cardiovascular Institute is Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Heart Care
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Heart-Healthy Tailgates for the Win
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UAB Physicians Using Mpirik Cardiac Intelligence to Address Health Inequities
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Recent Advancements Make it Easier to Live Well with Atrial Fibrillation