Malfunction of a double-balloon carotid shunt as a result of herniation of the proximal balloon.

Successful use of a shunt during carotid endarterectomy presupposes the avoidance of known shunt-related complications. We report the failure of a double-balloon intraluminal carotid shunt caused by herniation of the proximal balloon over the end of the shunt resulting in obstruction of blood flow in the shunt.