Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant has successfully completed its 100th Transcarotid Artery Revascularization procedure (TCAR), which demonstrates an excellent advancement in carotid artery stenosis treatment. Carotid artery stenosis is a narrowing of the large arteries on either side of the neck. These arteries carry blood to the head, face and brain. This usually results in the build-up of plaque within the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Overtime, stenosis or plaque burden can worsen and lead to stroke. The TCAR procedure reverses the direction of blood flow in the carotid and the patient’s risk of stroke and cranial nerve injury during the procedure is significantly lower.
While conventional surgery is an alternative option, TCAR has several additional advantages. Boulos Toursarkissian, MD, who has performed the majority of these procedures at the hospital, stated, “It is much less invasive, less painful, and saves time.” He also says the incision is much smaller which lessens recovery time. “Being the 100th, this milestone demonstrates the level of expertise and specialized skills of our vascular team at Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant.”
Toursarkissian notes that not every patient is a candidate for this type of procedure. Patients must meet certain criteria and candidacy should be determined by their physician. Learn more about cardiology services at Specialty and Transplant.