Carotid endarterectomy sounds like, and is, a big medical term.
It is a procedure that is performed on the carotid artery, the large artery going from the neck to the brain. It is done when the carotid artery is blocked or narrowed by a clot, plaque or some type of obstruction, usually associated with arteriosclerosis. The risk of a stroke is reduced when the obstruction is no longer present. People who have TIA s or Transient Ischemic Attacks may have blockage of their carotid artery. Their symptom have been described as similar to those present in a mini stroke.