New Procedure for Artery Disease

Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center announced it now offers patients with artery disease a new, innovative, minimally invasive treatment option. Chad McKenzie, D.O., vascular and general surgeon with Bon Secours Vein and Vascular Specialists, is among the first providers to offer Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) in the Hampton Roads region. This minimally invasive procedure has been successfully performed on several patients at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center.

This procedure is performed through a small incision above the collarbone where a sheath delivers a stent into the blocked artery. During the procedure, blood flow is temporarily reversed to protect the brain. When compared to more traditional treatment options, benefits of the TCAR procedure include reduced risk of stroke, minimal incisions and scarring, shortened procedure time and reduced recovery time.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer this innovative technology to patients in Hampton Roads,” said Dr. McKenzie. “I’ve seen a remarkable improvement in my patients who have already undergone this treatment. There is no better reward than seeing an improvement in a patient’s quality of life in such a short time, post-operatively.”

TCAR is now an option for patients suffering from carotid artery disease, which is the buildup of fatty deposits or plaque in the carotid arteries that deliver blood to the brain and head. Individuals who have been diagnosed with carotid artery disease are at a much greater risk for developing a stroke or medical emergency due to a lack of blood supply to the brain. Symptoms may include weakness or tingling in the extremities on one side of the body, trouble swallowing, loss of eyesight, dizziness or unexplained slurred speech.