Your doctor will inject contrast (x-ray dye) into the guiding catheter to allow him to see the arteries in your neck and brain. Your face and neck may feel warm or flushed when this happens, but this usually goes away after a short time.

Your doctor will pass the ACCUNETTM Embolic Protection System into the carotid artery. The ACCUNETTM Embolic Protection System is a wire with a small filter on the end that looks like a basket. You should not feel any discomfort during this part of the procedure.

Once your doctor crosses the diseased area of the artery with the ACCUNETTM Embolic Protection System, he will open up the small filter. The ACCUNETTM Embolic Protection System will stay in place during the procedure to help capture any plaque or particles that could travel into the smaller vessels in the brain (Figure 3).

The doctor may, if necessary, insert a balloon catheter into the ACCULINKTM Carotid Stent to open it wider. The stent will remain in place permanently, but the balloon will be removed.

The doctor will then remove the ACCUNETTM Embolic Protection System and all other devices from your body (Figure 6).