Now, a new procedure promises to lower the chance of stroke during surgery by redirecting and filtering blood.
Traditional surgeries to place a stent can pose the risk of what’s called a 'procedural stroke,' that's when doctors dislodge plaque from the arteries, and it gets into the brain. But Vascular surgeons at Virginia Mason have a new tool to protect from procedural stroke called trans carotid artery revascularization or TCAR.
Here's how it works - a specialized sheath, or tube, is placed in the common carotid artery which reverses the blood flow, directing it away from the brain. That blood then runs through a filter which catches any plaque loosened during the procedure. Finally, a stent is placed in the artery through the same sheath used to reverse blood flow.
Read More: www.king5.com/news/local/new-procedure-help-prevent-procedural-stroke-at-virginia-mason/447989054