Should an eighty-seven year old Alzheimer's patient have thoracic surgery to clear a blocked carotid artery?

My mom has alzheimer's. She had a small stroke yesterday called a TIA. At the emergency room we found out that her right carotid artery is significantly blocked which puts her at high risk for a stroke. Should she undergo surgery with its risks; infection,bleeding, stroke, and death? If the surgery is successful in removing the blockage it will lengthen her life and she will live with alzheimer's longer. Her quality of life as an alzheimer's patient is very poor to put it nicely. Can anyone help me with this ethical question?

No. It isn't worth putting her through the surgery. Although not without its risks, a carotid endarterectomy is usually successful and done without major complicaitons which will just prolong the inevitable. If quality of life is as poor as you report there isn't much sense in going though with it.

So sorry you are going thought this.

If her quality of life is already poor, then no she shouldn't have the surgery and she probably wouldn't want the surgery.

It will be hard to tell the Dr this since everyone wants to do the best they can for someone they love, but often times, doing surgery on someone who is already obviously failing quickly doesn't really help the person and will probably hasten their death. Sorry but your mom is probably going to have a stroke any day now and her time is very short. Treasure what time you have left but realize that once the mind is damaged then there isn't much you can do to help other than let nature takes it's natural course. Alzheimer's caretaker

Seek another opinion from a neurologist and another vascular surgeon. Ask them what they would do if it were their mother. Sit down and write a list of questions. 1. what will happen if you don't do the carotid endarterectomy ?
2. what is her life expectancy now with and without the surgery. 3. What other co morbidities exist which could affect the outcome. 4. Can she be put on medication now which will lessen the risk of a future stroke? Is she able to have some quality of life without the surgery?
Then pray.

That is a tough question to answer but I would say that the decision should be made by the family. Also it depends on the health of the patient, are they still walking around or are they bed fast. And also, how much love and patience do you have for this person. Since some of them can't make decisions for themselves,loved ones have to do the best for them. Yes it is hard but with Gods help, you will be able to do what is right.

You have a dilemma. I empathise and to be quite honest, I don't really know how to answer this, I just feel a need to try as your question really touched me. I guess it all comes down to her quality of life and what her medical team would recommend. Have you seen a medical ethicist or some equally erudite professional in such weighty matters. Other than that, all I can suggest is lots of consultation with family and medical professionals. I wish you all the very best with this very difficult situation and hope that you find some resolution. Jules, Australia.

That's a difficult decision and really it's up to you. I can only tell you how I feel.
My immediate response is to say no, don't do the surgery. If she's already living with a very decreased quality of life, why prolong it? And could you even adequately explain to her why she was having surgery and what she would have to do afterward?
My dad is still at the early stages of AD--he knows who all the important people are in his life and worse, he knows he's got diminished mental capacity. If he got hit by a car tomorrow (he walks everywhere) my mom and I wouldn't do anything heroic/extra to save him--above and beyond basic humane medical treatment. Not that we don't love him. But he's suffering and unhappy and has threatened to kill himself and asked us many times to kill him.
What's in your heart? That's the important question. Do you love your mom enough to let her go?