TCAR Procedures
TCAR Treatments Offered at FVSS
FVSS is excited to announce that Dr. Alexander Tretinyak and Dr. Jason Le are among the first providers in the area to receive certification and perform the TCAR (TransCarotid Artery Revascularization) procedure for the treatment of carotid artery disease. This minimally invasive procedure helps reduce the chance of stroke by removing plaque build-up from the two main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain.
It temporarily reverses blood flow during the procedure so any small pieces of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain. Compared to other treatments for carotid artery disease, TCAR involves just a small incision, has fewer complications and leads to faster patient recovery times. Check out more details about TCAR with these helpful materials:
What is TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)?*
TCAR has been clinically validated as a minimally invasive alternative to carotid endarterectomy, a conventional open surgery for treating carotid artery disease. What sets TCAR apart is its temporary reversal of blood flow during the procedure, diverting any small plaque fragments that may dislodge away from the brain, thus preventing a stroke.
A stent is then inserted into the artery to stabilize the plaque, reducing the risk of future strokes.
How is TCAR Better for Patients?
TCAR has a very low rate of procedural stroke. Being less invasive than open surgery, it significantly reduces the risk of surgical complications such as heart attacks, infections, and nerve injuries.
Patients undergoing TCAR also experience quicker recovery, typically going home the next day with less pain and smaller scars.
How Safe is TCAR?
Over 10,000 TCAR procedures have been performed globally through clinical trials and commercial use. TCAR has undergone extensive study, yielding excellent clinical data.
The results are so impressive that in September 2016, the Society of Vascular Surgeons, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collaborated to create a program supporting its reimbursement.
Who Should Be Considered for the TCAR Procedure?
TCAR is recommended for patients who are considered high risk for traditional surgery due to factors such as age, anatomical issues, and other medical conditions.
One of our Fox Valley Surgical Specialists will determine if TCAR is appropriate for a patient on a case-by-case basis, considering their medical history and evaluation.
What Happens During a TCAR Procedure?
A small incision is made at the base of the neck, just above the collarbone. A puncture is made into the carotid artery, and a small tube is inserted, connected to a system that temporarily redirects blood flow away from the brain and captures any dislodged debris. The blood is filtered and returned to a vein through a second tube placed in the groin.
While the brain is protected during this temporary flow reversal, a stent is placed in the carotid artery to stabilize the plaque, helping to prevent future strokes. The blood flow is then returned to normal, and the system is removed. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour. Patients can be either asleep or awake during the TCAR procedure and are typically held overnight for observation.
Is it Ever a Problem That the Blood is Being Diverted Away from the Brain?
TCAR is a safe procedure – it’s rarely a problem because the brain has multiple arteries supplying it with blood. Additionally, the critical part of the procedure, when blood flow is reversed, only lasts about 10 minutes.
Who Invented TCAR?
Vascular surgeons Dr. David Chang and Dr. Enrique Criado independently came up with the idea in 2004. Over the past decade, Silk Road Medical, Inc., based in California, has collaborated with the vascular surgery community to refine the procedure, conduct clinical trials, and now commercialize TCAR in the U.S.
If you want more information about our TCAR procedure, please get in touch with the physicians at Fox Valley Surgical Specialists by contacting us online or giving us a call at (800) 574-3872.