TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is a clinically proven, less invasive way to protect against stroke carotid artery disease. Each year stroke carotid artery disease is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases and there are 400,000 new diagnoses of carotid artery disease made every year in the United States alone.
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has long been considered the gold standard treatment becauseof its low procedural stroke rate. However, CEA carries a higher risk of myocardial infarction, and cranial nerve damage due to the larger incision. TCAR is a new, less-invasive procedure with the lowest reported carotid stenting stroke rate of 1.4%.
TCAR is a patient-friendly, endovascular procedure that incorporates the neuroprotection principles of CEA. It utilizes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection System to temporarily reverse blood flow away from the brain, collecting any potential debris in the device filter, before returning the blood to a vessel in the leg. With reverse flow neuroprotection established, the ENROUTE®
Transcarotid Stent is then implanted in the lesion for long-term plaque stabilization and stroke prevention. TCAR is well-suited for patients who are at higher risk of surgical complications, due toage, medical co-morbidities, or anatomical issues.
The TCAR Surveillance Project, a quality initiative led by the Society for Vascular Surgery, has established Medicare coverage and reimbursement for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.