TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)

TCAR (tee-kahr) is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high-surgical-risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.

Delray Medical Center and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center are two of the first hospitals in Palm Beach County to offer TCAR, or TransCarotid Artery Revascularization, as a new, minimally invasive treatment option for high-risk patients suffering from Carotid Artery Disease. You may be a candidate for TCAR, which helps repair clogged carotid arteries and reduce the risk of stroke.

Joseph Ricotta, MD, MS, DFSVS, FACS, National Medical Director, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Tenet Healthcare was the first physician to perform the TCAR procedure in South Florida at Delray Medical Center. Dr. Ricotta is a TCAR Clinical Operator of Experience and Delray has been named a TCAR Center of Excellence.

Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup 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; it is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with 400,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone.

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.

TCAR Potential Benefits:

• Helps prevent stroke
• Low complication rate
• Minimally invasive
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery time
• Cosmetic – smaller incision

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.

What is Carotid Artery Disease?

Carotid Artery Disease is a build-up of plaque in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Who is at Risk for Carotid Artery Disease?

• Those with High Blood Pressure/High Cholesterol
• Smokers
• Overweight or Obese Individuals
• Family History
• Older Age
• People who live a Sedentary Lifestyle
  

87% of Strokes Are Caused by Blocked Arteries:

Over time, if not treated, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, which can limit oxygen to the brain and cause a stroke. Nearly 800,000 people have a stroke in the United States every year.

A Stroke can Cause:

• Lasting Brain Damage
• Long-Term Disability – Vision and Speech Issues, or Paralysis
• Death