Via: Newswise
Loyola First Academic Medical Center in Illinois to Offer TCAR Procedure
Newswise — MAYWOOD, IL – Loyola Medicine is the first academic medical center in Illinois to use the TCAR system, which reduces stroke risk during carotid artery procedures by temporarily reversing blood flow.
Carotid arteries on each side of the neck supply blood to the brain. In patients with carotid artery disease, a build-up of plaque can cause blockages. A common method to open the artery involves a balloon angioplasty and stent placement. The physician inserts a balloon catheter in the groin and guides it through various blood vessels up to the carotid artery. At the site of the blockage, the tiny balloon is inflated to open the artery. A stent then is placed to ensure the artery remains open.
The procedure can knock loose pieces of plaque, and the debris can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. The traditional way to prevent this is to place an umbrella-shaped filter in the carotid artery. However, small pieces of plaque can still make it through the filter and cause small strokes. Also, placing the filter itself can knock loose plaque debris.
TCAR (Transcarotid artery revascularization) prevents debris from flowing up to the brain during the procedure. The carotid artery is connected to a system that reverses the flow of blood away from the brain. The blood is filtered and returned to the femoral vein in the patient's thigh. After the stent procedure is completed, the TCAR system is removed and blood flow returns to normal.
Read More: https://www.newswise.com/articles/reversing-blood-flow-reduces-stroke-risk-during-carotid-artery-procedure
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