To keep your cells healthy and functioning, a network of blood vessels
circulates blood throughout your body to deliver oxygen and remove waste.
Arteries carry blood full of oxygen and nutrients to every corner of your
body. Once the blood releases its vital payload, it returns to the heart
through the veins to prepare for recirculation.
A variety of conditions can affect your vascular health, and some may require
surgery, including:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm—a bulge that occurs in a weak area in the
wall of the aorta, the body’s main artery
Carotid artery disease—plaque formation in the arteries that carry blood to the brain,
which can cause blockages or blood clots that may lead to a
stroke
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)—accumulation of plaque that can lead
to blockages in arteries outside of the heart, such as those in the legs
Varicose veins—a condition in which veins, typically in the legs,
swell when dysfunctional valves allow blood to pool in them
Vascular Surgery at Altru
Altru is home to a team of vascular care doctors who specialize in the
care of patients with vascular disease. Altru vascular surgeons perform
noninvasive diagnostic tests that can detect the presence of vascular
conditions, some of which may not cause symptoms. Surgical and nonsurgical
treatment options are available.
Altru vascular surgeons perform a variety of surgeries to treat vascular
disease by improving blood flow. These procedures include endovascular
surgery, which is a category of minimally invasive procedures to treat
PAD and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and vascular leg surgery to treat PAD
and varicose veins. If minimally invasive surgery isn’t appropriate
for you, open surgery may be an option.
Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA) and Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
Altru vascular surgeons also offer two surgical options to treat carotid
artery disease: carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR).
You may need to undergo CEA if you have a major blockage in one of the
two carotid arteries in your neck that supply blood to the brain. That
kind of blockage could cause a stroke. During CEA, a vascular surgeon
removes plaque from the artery through an incision in the side of your neck.
If you are considered high risk for CEA due to your age or other health
problems, you may be able to undergo TCAR, which is a less invasive option.
What is TCAR?
TCAR is a minimally invasive procedure that helps reduce the risk of a
stroke by removing the loose plaque from your blood, which could cause
a stroke. During TCAR, a small tube called a stent is also placed to prevent
additional plaque from breaking free.
How Does TCAR Work?
The vascular surgeon will make a small incision just above your collarbone
and place a tube in the carotid artery.
Once connected to a filtering system, the tube reverses blood away from
the brain, and the system removes loose plaque that could cause a stroke.
Free of plaque, the blood reenters the body through a tube in your upper leg.
The surgeon places a stent in the carotid artery to press any remaining
plaque against the artery wall and prevent pieces from detaching.
With the stent in place, the surgeon restores normal blood flow through
the artery.
What are the Benefits of TCAR?
Both CEA and TCAR can reduce your risk of stroke, but TCAR offers additional
benefits, including:
A smaller incision
A shorter operation
A shorter hospital stay
A faster recovery
Schedule an appointment with a vascular surgeon through
MyChart. For more information, call
701.780.6400 for Vascular Medicine or
701.780.6427 for Vascular Surgery.
