This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this image for other purposes, click here.
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Your doctor may recommend you get a carotid endarterectomy if your carotid arteries are narrowed or blocked with plaque. In your neck are two major blood vessels called the carotid arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your brain. You can feel of the pulse of the carotid artery in the side of your neck. Fatty deposits, called atherosclerotic plaques, can build up inside the carotid artery. These plaques can narrow the passageway of the artery and interfere with blood flow to the brain. This blockage or narrowing is called a stenosis. If blood flow to the brain is blocked temporarily, a transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA, may occur. When the blood flow is completely obstructed, as in a carotid artery blockage, a stroke can occur. Before your procedure, an intravenous line will be started. A carotid endarterectomy is usually done under general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. In this case, a breathing tube will be inserted through your mouth and into your windpipe to help you breathe during the operation. Sometimes a carotid endarterectomy is done with local anesthesia. If local anesthesia is used, you will remain awake, but your neck will be numbed. You will probably also receive some sedation. On the side of your neck along the blocked artery, the surgeon will make an incision that may run fromjust behind the ear to a point above the collarbone. Your surgeon will find the carotid artery and temporarily clamp off blood flow through it. Your surgeon will open up the artery and may place a shunt or temporary bypass to keep blood flowing to the brain. Your surgeon will then remove the plaque within the arterial walls. After the blockage has been removed, he or she will sew the artery back together, usually placing a patch to widen thearteryslightly. The patch may be made of part of one of your veins, or an artificial material, such as Dacron. Finally, your surgeon will close the incision with sutures or staples and cover it with bandages. A temporary drain is frequently left in the wound. After your operation, you will be taken to a recovery area where the staff will monitor your vital signs and neurologic condition. You will be given pain medication as needed, and will gradually progress from a liquid to a solid diet.
"I have a medical illustration created by Medical Legal Art at the beginning
of every case to tell the client's story, usually before I depose the
defendant doctor. The work product and cost-efficiency are outstanding. It
is a situation where, as a trial lawyer, I don't leave home without it."
Rockne Onstad
Attorney at Law
Austin, TX
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Daniel J. Costello
Proner & Proner
New York, NY
"The Doe Report's Do-It-Yourself Exhibits program enables easy customization
of complex medical exhibits at a reasonable expense and in a timely manner.
Practically speaking, custom medical exhibits are no longer an unthinkable
luxury, but a routine necessity."
Jack S. Cohen
Levy, Angstreich, Finney, Baldante & Coren
Philadelphia, PA
"Our practice involves medical negligence cases exclusively. We have six
attorneys and one physician on staff. We have used Medical Legal Art's
staff for every one of our cases over the past 12 years and have found their
services to be extraordinary. The transformation of medical records into
powerful graphic images has without fail been handled expertly,
expeditiously and effectively translating into superb results for our
clients, both in the courtroom and in settlement. Every case can benefit
from their excellent work and we unqualifiedly recommend their services.
They are the best!"
Chris Otorowski
Morrow and Otorowski
Bainbridge Island, Washington
www.medilaw.com
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.