TRANSCAROTID ARTERY REVASCULARIZATION: THE FUTURE OF CAROTID SURGERY
One of the most gratifying problems we help treat for patients is carotid artery disease. The carotid arteries supply the brain with blood. In patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and a history of smoking, the carotid arteries can become narrowed and form blood clots that then go into the brain and cause strokes. Traditionally, vascular surgeons have fixed this carotid artery narrowing's with a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. The carotid artery is dissected out and cut open. The plaque is then removed, and the carotid artery is sewn back together.
Over the past five years, however, I have had the opportunity to perform a new technique involving carotid stenting called trans carotid artery revascularization or TCAR. Stents are self-expanding metal tubes that we can use in the carotid artery to stop clots from forming in narrowed areas. TCAR uses a suction machine to reverse flow in the carotid artery during the placement of a stent to minimize the risk of inadvertent stroke during the procedure itself. After having performed over 20 of these procedures in the past two years, I can say with confidence that the flow reversal and stenting that TCAR provides is a highly safe and successful way to treat carotid artery disease. Furthermore, the length of the incision, postoperative pain, and risk of nerve damage and bleeding are all much less with TCAR than with CEA.
I am so happy to be able to offer this revolutionary, safe, and effective therapy to all my patients at South Bay Vascular Center. Should you or anyone you know have any problems with your carotid arteries or a stroke, please do not hesitate to call us today at 408-376-3626 to schedule a consultation.