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MESA, Ariz. (June 3, 2019) – Banner Desert Medical Center is among the first hospitals in Arizona to treat carotid artery disease and decrease stroke risk using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization, or TCAR. This is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high surgical risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.
TCAR developer Silk Road Medical reviews hospitals across the country to recognize the centers that have embraced the procedure. TCAR Centers of Excellence have demonstrated excellent patient outcomes through appropriate patient selection and a well-trained and credentialed vascular specialist team. This recognition demonstrates Banner Desert’s commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to the community.
“TCAR is an important new option in the fight against stroke, and is particularly suited for the large portion of patients we see who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to age, anatomy, or other medical conditions,” said Dr. Paul Vaughn, vascular surgeon at Banner Desert. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair.”
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’s 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.
Patients are often out of the hospital the day after having the procedure, with less scarring than previous procedures to treat the same issue, according to doctors.
Patient Kathy Swift said the procedure likely saved her life. She decided to have TCAR after a test showed the blood vessel in the left side of her neck had narrowed by more than 80 percent.
“I was a stroke waiting to happen,” said Swift, 67. “I couldn’t have asked for a better procedure. I feel like I have more energy, and have no pain or pulling on that side anymore. I didn’t need pain medications after I got home, and I was back to work two weeks from the day of surgery.”
Prior to TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy. That procedure 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. It also 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.
The TCAR procedure is also offered at Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa and Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.
About Banner Desert Medical Center
Banner Desert Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital, providing a range of inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency services, Level I trauma care, cancer care, heart care, orthopedics, women and infant services, rehabilitation, neurological care and more. The medical center is one of the most comprehensive hospitals in Arizona and serves as a regional referral center in the East Valley of metropolitan Phoenix. The medical campus is also home to Cardon Children’s Medical Center. Both facilities are owned and operated by Banner Health, the largest provider of health care services in Arizona. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com/Desert.