Administrators, physicians and colleagues celebrated the hospital’s 100th TCAR procedure on Monday, May 1.
New Minimally Invasive Procedure Prevents Stroke
Houston, TX - HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast is the first hospital in the HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division to complete 100 Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedures to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes. TCAR is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and a safe approach for high-surgical-risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.
HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast has been designated as a Primary Stroke Center for more than 10 years. The hospital recently opened a dedicated 20-bed stroke unit, making it a premier location for stroke prevention and after care for residents in southeast Harris County.
Uttam Tripathy, MD, HCA Houston Southeast cardiovascular medical director, and Khaja Moinuddeen, MD cardiovascular surgeon want to educate the community on the importance of stroke awareness.
Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke; it is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with 427,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone.
The TCAR procedure is performed in less than half the time of traditional treatment for carotid artery disease and offers several advantages:
- Better outcomes. TCAR results in a low peri-procedural stroke rate in high surgical risk patients. TCAR’s low stroke rate is the lowest reported to date for any prospective, multi-center trial of carotid stenting.
- Less invasive. The TCAR approach has very low cranial nerve injury and myocardial infarction rates due to a minimal incision near the clavicle and the transcarotid approach.
- Patient-friendly. Local anesthesia is favored, and hospital stays are typically overnight for observation. TCAR patients recover quickly and almost always go home the next day to return to full and productive lives with less pain and smaller scars.
“Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) has been a game-changer in our fight against this deadly condition,” said Dr. Khaja Moinuddeen, cardiovascular surgeon at HCA Houston Southeast. “It offers a minimally invasive option for patients at high risk for complications with traditional surgery, providing a faster recovery time and better outcomes. The success of our team in completing our 100th surgery is a testament to their dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional care to our patients. We are proud to be at the forefront of cutting-edge medical procedures and will continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our community."
Prior to TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA). CEA removes plaque inside the carotid artery to restore normal blood flow to the brain, but the large incision leaves a visible scar the length of the neck. It carries risks of surgical complications, including bleeding, infection, heart attack and cranial nerve injuries that can cause issues with swallowing, speaking and sensation in the face.
May is National Stroke Month and HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast encourages people diagnosed with carotid artery disease to consult with their cardiologist to see if the TCAR procedure is right for them. Find a physician for a referral.