MVHS Among First in New York State to Offer Innovative TCAR Procedure

For Immediate Release

April 25, 2019

UTICA, N.Y. – Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is among the first in New York State to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). TCAR is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high surgical risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.

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 400,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the United States alone.

“TCAR is an important new option in the fight against stroke, and is particularly suited for the large portion of patients we see who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to age, anatomy or other medical conditions,” said Kenneth Murphy, MD, director of Interventional Radiology at MVHS. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair.”

TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any small bits of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain, preventing a stroke from happening. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, minimizing the risk of a future stroke.

Prior to TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA). CEA removes plaque from 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 and 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.

The TCAR procedure was developed by Sunnyvale, California-based Silk Road Medical, Inc. and includes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection (NPS) and Stent System – the first devices designed and FDA-approved specifically for TCAR. Over 5,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively, and the clinical data has been excellent. Additional information about TCAR is available at silkroadmed.com/disease-and-treatment-options.

On Monday, March 25, 2019, the MVHS Interventional Radiology staff began offering the TCAR procedure to patients at Mohawk Valley Health System. Pictured left to right: TCAR Representative (name not provided), Jason Fox, TCAR Representative (name not provided), Karen Hoole, Florence Wheelock, Michaela Ward, Dr. Christoper Max, Dr. Kenneth Murphy, Dr. David O’Connor, Lacey Matrassi, Joelene Wesolowski, TCAR Representative (name not provided), TCAR Representative (name not provided).

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