INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital offers TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) to treat carotid artery disease in patients at risk from open surgery. TCAR reduces the risk of stroke by preventing stroke-causing fragments from reaching the brain.
The TCAR procedure involves accessing the carotid artery through a smaller incision above the clavicle.
A tube redirects blood flow away from the brain to prevent debris from causing harm. The blood is filtered and returned to a groin vein, while a stent stabilizes the artery to prevent strokes.
TCAR takes less than half the time of a carotid endarterectomy (CEA) procedure, reducing heart stress, stroke or heart attack risks during the procedure.
Patients who undergo the TCAR procedure typically spend one night in the hospital and return home the next day, experiencing less pain, smaller scars and reduced stroke risk.
If you're diagnosed with carotid artery disease and aren't a suitable candidate for CEA due to age or other medical conditions, your physician may recommend the TCAR procedure.
For more information, schedule a TCAR consultation with David Neel, M.D., our vascular surgeon.