Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
Blockages in the carotid arteries starve the brain of oxygen and blood, increasing the risk of stroke. Vascular specialists at Reid Health offer TCAR to remove those blockages
Restoring blood flow, preventing stroke
The carotid arteries, located in the neck, are responsible for supplying blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the brain. When they become blocked, your brain doesn’t get what it needs to function, and you can experience serious complications, including a stroke.
At Reid Health Heart & Vascular Care, our team of vascular specialists offers a minimally invasive procedure called transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) to clear blockages and possibly save you from serious long-term consequences.
TCAR is an option for people with medical conditions or other factors that make other treatment options risky. And you don’t have to travel to receive this advanced procedure — you can have TCAR performed here, close to home, by experts you trust.
Why choose Reid Health
The right place for TCAR procedures
If you have blockages in the carotid arteries, you’re at a higher risk of stroke even if you don’t have symptoms. As plaque accumulates in those arteries, your risk increases.
You can get the advanced treatment you need to clear carotid artery blockages at Reid Health Heart & Vascular Center. We offer multiple treatment options to remove blockages, helping to prevent blood clots and future strokes.
As part of our commitment to offering advanced heart and vascular care in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio, we’re proud to offer TCAR as an option. This innovative procedure gives higher-risk patients the treatment they need to protect their health.
What does TCAR treat?
Providers use TCAR to treat carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis. This condition occurs when fatty plaque builds up on the artery walls, causing the arteries to narrow or become blocked.
When plaque first begins to build up in the arteries, it might not cause any noticeable symptoms. Over time, plaque begins to more significantly limit blood flow to the brain and head.
When this happens, it can cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a mini-stroke, or a stroke. A provider can also sometimes diagnose carotid artery disease before a stroke occurs.
Mild blockages might not require treatment, but moderate to severe stenosis requires treatment to remove plaque and prevent stroke.
Older patients and others who are at a high risk of complications from an open surgical procedure might benefit from TCAR.