January 14, 2019 — Englewood is among the first hospitals in New Jersey to offer new minimally invasive procedure to help prevent stroke.
Englewood Health is one of the first hospitals in New Jersey to offer a new, minimally invasive procedure to treat severe carotid artery disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries and can lead to a stroke. The procedure, called transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any small bits of plaque that may break off in the artery are diverted away from the brain, which helps prevent a stroke. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, minimizing the risk of a future stroke.
Up until to now, the main treatment options for severe carotid artery disease were an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy, which while safe and effective, may not be appropriate for high-risk patients, and stenting from the groin, which has a greater risk of complications.
“TCAR is an important new option for the treatment of severe carotid disease,” says Dr. Thomas Bernik, chief of vascular surgery at Englewood Health. “The procedure is particularly suited for patients who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to age, anatomy, or other medical conditions. This safer, minimally invasive approach can lead to better outcomes and a faster recovery.”