Stroke Prevention With Abciximab in Carotid Endarterectomy

In the first portion of the study, the goal will be to determine the safety of the drug Abciximab for use during and in the period after open carotid artery surgery. In addition, using specialized ultrasound equipment (a probe that is placed on the outside of your skin of your head), we will aim to measure the number of particles released around the time of surgery while being treated with Abciximab. The second phase of the study will be determine if Abciximab can safely reduce the number of particles released into the bloodstream around the time of surgery in order to reduce the risk of stroke.