Via: Kinston
Gary Sunderland was recovering from a heart procedure at New Hanover Regional Medical Center when a physician assistant stopped by to assess him. Using a stethoscope, the physician assistant listened to the carotid artery in his neck.
She didn’t like what she heard.
He got a referral to a vascular surgeon and discovered he had blockages in his carotid arteries, which carry oxygenated blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease, which happens when plaque clogs the blood vessels, increases the risk of a stroke.
“It was like a ticking time bomb,” said Sunderland, who is 81 and has enjoyed good health all his life.
The most commonly performed surgery to remedy blocked carotid arteries is a carotid endarterectomy, which involves a surgeon opening the artery to remove the plaque. This procedure is offered at NHRMC, but it is invasive and not ideal for everyone.
After reviewing Sunderland’s case, Dr. Michael Patton, a Wilmington vascular surgeon, recommended a minimally invasive procedure to place stents in his carotid arteries, lowering his risk of stroke. Patton placed the stents, which are small mesh tubes, using the TCAR procedure, which stands for transcarotid artery revascularization.
Read More: https://www.kinston.com/news/20190513/minimally-invasive-procedure-can-reduce-stroke-risk
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