What is Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)?

Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a minimally invasive procedure that might clear a blockage and open up a narrowed carotid artery. The surgeon makes an incision over the common carotid artery to perform the repair.

The surgical team reverses the blockage during the TCAR procedure. This reversal reduces the chance of a stroke, as your surgeon uses a surgical balloon and stents to reopen the narrowed artery. Meanwhile, blood continues to reach your brain through other blood vessels.

What does Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) treat?

The carotid artery is an artery in your neck that helps provide blood flow to the brain and face. The split or division of the carotid artery is a common spot in your body where plaque (fat, cholesterol, and other substances) builds up, creating a narrowing or blockage. These blockages can lead to strokes when a piece of the blockage breaks off or, in some cases, the artery closes completely. TCAR and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are effective methods for the management of carotid obstruction and for the prevention of stroke.

How can I prepare for transcarotid artery revascularization?

Your doctor will suggest undergoing some tests before your TCAR carotid surgery. These can be:

• Blood tests.
• Your carotid artery ultrasound.
• Brain and carotid artery computed tomography (CT) angiography.

You will be instructed on taking prescription medications including statin drugs and antiplatelet medications such as aspirin or clopidogrel, preparing you for this surgery.

The day before surgery, your doctor will ask you to abstain from all kinds of foods and beverages after midnight before the carotid artery revascularization operation.

What happens during Transcarotid artery revascularization?

In a surgical suite, your medical staff will:

• Give you local or general anesthesia.
• Place a tube in a vein in your groove and inject filtered blood into your body through this tube.
• Make an incision, 1 to 1.5 inches, also referred to as an incision, in your neck just above the area of your collarbone on whichever side needs to be repaired.
• They insert a tube through that small incision into your carotid artery. They occlude the artery ahead of the tube, which connects to a filter that catches any pieces of plaque out of your blood. On the other side of the filter, it also attaches to a tube that is in your femoral vein. From there, at this point, the flow into your brain comes from the other side, and the arteries that go back to the rear of your brain are called vertebral arteries.
• This may enable surgeons to temporarily reverse the blood flow in your carotid artery from your brain. As they make the repair, any debris or particles which break off are filtered before returning to your vein. This helps prevent the chance of a stroke during the repair.
• A surgeon crosses the narrowing in your artery using a wire and then passes a balloon up to temporarily stretch open the blockage.
• They then place a metallic stent inside the carotid artery to keep it open and hold the blockage in place.
• They remove the tubes and then close the small opening of your artery. Finally, they close the incision in your neck.

The process will take approximately an hour and a half.

What happens after Transcarotid artery revascularization?

You'll likely be in the hospital overnight following your TCAR. The medical team will continue monitoring you as they continue to work on reviewing your recovery course.

What are the benefits of Transcarotid artery revascularization surgery?

It reduces the risk of having a stroke. Besides this, TCAR has some more advantages over this as it is deemed to be less invasive:

• The size of the scar on the neck is smaller.
• Compared to CEA, there is less chance of nerve injury.
• This could be a safer way of stent placement if the arteries in your chest or at the bottom of the neck are damaged or twisted.

What are the risks of transcarotid artery revascularization surgery?

All the complications associated with the other forms of carotid revascularization are the same for TCAR:

• Carotid artery injury.
• Bleeding at the site of your neck incision.
• Swelling in the area where your neck was cut.
• Damage to nerves.
• Stroke or heart attack.

What is the duration of recovery?

As the TCAR is a minimally invasive procedure, there will not be any deep cuts that will take longer to heal. However, you cannot lift heavy for at least a week. Your provider will explain when you can go back to work and other activities. You'll have to check your neck incision daily so it heals as it should and doesn't get infected.

When to call the doctor?

If you experienced some of the infection symptoms in the wound, such as:

• High fever
• Feeling cold
• Redness around the injury
• Fluid leaking from your cut.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Transcarotid Artery Revascularization in Lucknow, India. We have a highly experienced team of vascular surgeons who use advanced tools and follow international standard infection control measures. Our hospital ensures safer procedures, quicker recovery, and improved long-term outcomes.

To seek an expert consultation for Transcarotid Artery Revascularization in Lucknow, India

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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