www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 61 do not – for reasons like the device cannot fit.” The entire TCAR procedure is performed through a smaller incision in the neck and in less than half the time of a carotid endarterectomy – limiting the stress on the heart and significantly cutting the risk of the patient having a stroke or heart attack during the procedure. During a TCAR, a tube inserted into the carotid artery is connected to a system that temporarily directs blood flow away from the brain to protect against dangerous debris reaching the brain and causing a stroke. Surgeons filter the blood before returning it to a vein in the groin, and a stent is implanted to the carotid artery to stabilize plaque and help prevent future strokes. “From a physician’s standpoint, we want our patients to get better as soon as possible,” Dr. Hislop said. “Recovery time is less with TCAR, the procedure is much easier and it is less taxing for patients and for doctors. Older procedures take about 1½ to 2 hours to complete. The nationwide average for TCAR is 60 minutes.” The average time at CVVC is 50 minutes. Dr. Hislop, chief of vascular surgery at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, came to CVVC from the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of major and completed a tour in Bagram, Afghanistan. Dr. Hislop also served as the attending vascular surgeon, San Antonio Military Medical Center; assistant professor of surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; director, Noninvasive Vascular Lab, San Antonio Military Medical Center; and chief, endovascular surgery. After completing dual degrees in chemistry and biochemistry from Virginia Tech University, Dr. Hislop received his M.D. from the University of Rochester School of Medicine, where he also completed his surgical residency and vascular surgery fellowship. Procedure details source: Silk Road Medical. For additional information about TCAR, visit Coastal Vascular and Vein Center and Silk Road Medical. 1327 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29407 2575 Elms Center Rd., Ste. 200 Charleston, SC 29406 FAST FACTS ABOUT STROKES • Every year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke, also known as a brain attack. • Every year, strokes kill 6 million people, and another 5 million are permanently disabled. • 87% of strokes are caused by blocked arteries. • Up to one-third of strokes are caused by carotid artery disease. • 80% of strokes are preventable. Source: American Stroke Association CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE - DEFINITION Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis – excess plaque on the walls of an artery. This is especially dangerous with the carotid arteries in the neck, which feed oxygen-rich blood to the brain. When plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, they begin to narrow, potentially causing a stroke if blood flow slows or stops or plaque fragments travel to the brain. Source: Silk Road Medical
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