Simplified schematic showing carotid artery vasculature and sites for placement of arterial sutures for retraction and/or ligation. During vascular access, suture No. 1 is looped around the most proximal portion of the left common carotid artery (CCA), suture No. 2 is looped around the external branch immediately distal to the internal carotid (IC) and external carotid (EC) bifurcation, and suture No. 3 is looped around the EC artery as distally as possible. The arteriotomy site for insertion of the balloon catheter is shown on the EC branch between the bifurcation and the site of distal ligature (No. 3) and is indicated by an arrow and straight line.