Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
Carotid artery disease is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the brain become clogged with plaque buildup. It is a very serious condition that can increase your risk of having a stroke. In the early stages, symptoms may go unnoticed, and patients may be unaware of their condition before an emergency arises like a transient ischemic attack or a full-blown stroke. For patients with carotid artery disease, surgery may be necessary to remove the blockage and reopen the vessel. Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a revolutionary new procedure that significantly reduces the risks involved with traditional carotid artery repair. The procedure combines the low stroke risk of traditional surgery techniques with a less invasive approach to reduce downtime and the risk of heart attack and/or nerve injury. Dr. Ashish Gupta was extremely grateful to Dr. Jeffery Kirk of Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, who allowed him to assist with performing these two procedures, pictured and described below. As of this blog post, Dr. Gupta is the first and only vascular surgeon in the Panama City Beach area who has successfully performed transcarotid artery revascularization! Patient 1 is a 68-year-old female who presented with a carotid bruit upon physical exam, which is an unnatural vascular sound over the carotid artery due to an issue with the vessel. An ultrasound revealed significant stenosis, or narrowing, of the carotid artery. The patient underwent transcarotid artery revascularization to repair the damage and returned home the next day after overnight observation.
Patient 2 is a 74-year-old female who was admitted with a transient ischemic attack, also known as a ministroke. Her condition was verified with an ultrasound. Pre-procedure angiogram revealed significant stenosis of the artery, and post-procedure angiograms showed great improvement in flow. The patient was discharged and returned home the next day.
At Southern Vascular Center of Panama City, we provide quality care, diagnostics, and treatment for a wide variety of vascular conditions. If you have a history of vascular diseases, talk with your primary care physician about screening and testing procedures to monitor your condition. We have five locations on the Emerald Coast, with board-certified surgeons providing superior treatment across the board. Schedule your appointment online at www.southernvascularpc.com or call our office at (850) 532-6303.