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Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford now offers a minimally invasive alternative to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes. The new procedure, called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR), is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high surgical risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.

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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 U.S. alone.

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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 procedure carries risks of surgical complications, including bleeding, infection, heart attack and stroke. 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.

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"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 Robert Winter, M.D., vascular surgeon at Central Florida Regional Hospital. "Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair."