Hello, Thanks for posting in HCM. In most of the cases even though the reason for surgery would be blood clot in neck there is a possibility of clot stuck in heart arteries too which will call as coronary arteries. I understand that you are thinking how can clot in neck can cause death by cardiac arrest. The reason for myocardial infarction is any clot if stuck in coronary artery can cuase decreased blood supply to the part of heart blocked and causes infarction or death due to lack of blood supply. Now even though something happens to brain probably a patient can only go in coma but he won t die. Death is said in medical term only when the heart stops and cannot be revived even after trying. Stoppage of other organs like brain or lungs is not called death as patient still can be kept alive on supports. But once heart stops it is death. And as there is history of clot formation there is a possibility of clot in heart causing myocardial infarction and thus death. I hope i have answered your query well. Thank you