Northeast Philadelphia – (May 6, 2021): Nazareth Hospital is now offering a new option 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.
 
Nazareth’s first TCAR procedure was recently performed by Westley Smith, MD, board-certified vascular surgeon at Nazareth Hospital.
 
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 427,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone.
 
"TCAR is a critical procedure in the fight against stroke and can make the difference in someone’s overall wellbeing,” said Michael Magro, DO, MBA, FACOI, President of Nazareth Hospital. "In addition to reduced risk of stroke, patients with carotid artery disease treated with TCAR often recover faster and experience lowered risk of heart attack. We are proud to offer this new minimally invasive procedure to our Northeast Philadelphia residents."
 
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. 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 some 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. A less invasive procedure, TCAR involves a small incision made just above the collar bone. Typical patient benefits include a shorter and safer procedure and faster recovery.
 
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 20,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively, and the clinical data have been excellent. 
 
For information about TCAR and other vascular services at Nazareth, visit www.trinityhealthma.org/find-a-service-or-specialty/heart-and-vascular/.
 
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About Nazareth Hospital
Founded in 1940, Nazareth Hospital is guided by its Catholic-health core values of reverence, stewardship, integrity, justice and commitment to the underserved. Located in Northeast Philadelphia, and with 205 licensed beds and 28 skilled nursing beds, Nazareth Hospital is a community teaching hospital and provides a full array of healthcare services, including emergency care, surgery, vascular services, wound care services, cardiac care, orthopedic and rehabilitation services, and cancer care. Nazareth Hospital is a nationally certified Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center and has earned national accreditations for heart failure care and PCI. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is a Regional Health System that includes Mercy Catholic Medical Center – Mercy Fitzgerald Campus in Darby, Pa.; Nazareth Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia; Saint Francis Healthcare in Wilmington, Del.; St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa. and home health and LIFE programs. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is a member of Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation.

About Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is a Regional Health System that includes Mercy Catholic Medical Center – Mercy Fitzgerald Campus in Darby, Pa.; Nazareth Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia; Saint Francis Healthcare in Wilmington, Del.; St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa., and home health and LIFE programs throughout the region. These entities include hospitals, associated clinics, medical offices, specialized facilities, affiliated institutions and foundations serving together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within their communities. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is a member of Trinity Health.