TCAR Procedure to Treat Carotid Artery Disease
White Square Vascular Surgery is among the first in Baltimore, Maryland to offer the innovative, minimally invasive procedure that prevents strokes.
TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). TCAR (tee-kahr) is a clinically proven and minimally invasive approach for patients who need carotid artery treatment.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.1 Worldwide, nearly 5 million people die from a stroke, and another 5 million are left permanently disabled every year.2
“TCAR is an important option in the fight against stroke and is now available to all eligible patients, regardless of their surgical risk status. Not only is TCAR less invasive than open surgery (CEA), but there is also less chance of heart attack and nerve injury,” said Dr. Ghaida. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair.”
Dr. Ahmad Abu-Ghaida M.D. | F.A.C.S.
Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a build-up of plaque, in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke. With up to a third of strokes caused by carotid artery disease3, Whitesquare Vascular Surgery offers patients minimally invasive options, such as TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) to prevent future strokes with a faster recovery time and an increased chance of being discharged to home.4
TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any small bits of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain, preventing a stroke from happening. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, minimizing the risk of a future stroke.
Prior to TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA). CEA removes plaque from inside the carotid artery to restore normal blood flow to the brain, but the large incision leaves a visible scar the length of the neck and carries risks of surgical complications, including bleeding, infection, heart attack, and cranial nerve injuries that can cause issues with swallowing, speaking and sensation in the face.
The TCAR® system was developed by Sunnyvale, California-based Silk Road Medical, Inc. and includes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection (N.P.S.) and Stent System – the first devices designed and FDA-approved specifically for TCAR. Over 40,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively, and the clinical data have been excellent. Additional information about TCAR is available at Silk Road Medical.
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