The purpose of this study is to investigate the ability of the compound[F-18]RGD-K5, when
used as a tracer during PET (positron emission tomography) imaging, to detect regions of
unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery of subjects being considered for
carotid endarterectomy (CEA),and to confirm this ability through histological studies of
samples of carotid artery plaques that will be collected during the planned carotid surgery.