Vascular Surgery

Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure to treat carotid artery disease and help prevent future strokes. TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any bits of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain.

Your surgeon may recommend a TCAR procedure if you’ve been diagnosed with carotid artery disease that requires intervention and your age, anatomy, or other medical conditions place you at a high risk for open surgery (carotid endarterectomy).

The TCAR procedure takes place in an operating room. Local or general anesthesia may be used – your surgeon will determine what is best for you. The procedure is performed through a small incision at your neckline just above your clavicle. Your surgeon will place a tube directly into your carotid artery and connect it to a system that will direct blood flow away from your brain, to prevent any loose plaque from reaching your brain. Your blood will flow through the system and any material will be captured in a filter outside the body. Your filtered blood will then be returned through a second tube in your upper leg. A carotid stent is then placed to stabilize the plaque in your carotid arteries. After successful placement, flow reversal is turned off and blood flow resumes in its normal direction.

For more information on the TCAR procedure click here. 

Source: https://vascular.org/patients/vascular-treatments/transcarotid-artery-revascularization