Team and care meet the highest standards for carotid artery disease treatment
(SACRAMENTO) — The UC Davis Vascular Center has been named a TCAR Center of Excellence for the high quality of its care team and patient outcomes for transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR).
Silk Road Medical developed the recognition program and the procedure, a minimally invasive approach for treating carotid artery disease — or plaque buildup in main arteries of the neck. The condition significantly increases the risk of stroke, when a blockage restricts blood flow and kills brain cells.
TCAR expands treatment options for carotid artery disease. Illustration courtesy of Silk Road Medical.
Severe carotid artery disease can be treated with surgery, angioplasty or stents. TCAR adds additional stroke protection during the procedure. It involves temporarily reversing blood flow so dislodged plaque pieces travel away from the brain. A stent is then placed in the artery to stabilize plaque and minimize the likelihood of a future stroke.
The TCAR program at UC Davis Health is led by Matthew Mell, chief of vascular surgery and director of the vascular center.
“We are committed to offering a complete range of advanced treatments for vascular disease,” Mell said. “We are thrilled to be recognized for leadership with TCAR, which has become an increasingly important option for carotid artery disease patients who are not good candidates for surgery due to age or health complications.”
Additional information about TCAR is available on the Silk Road Medical website.
The UC Davis Vascular Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive and state-of-the-art care for all blood vessel conditions, from esthetic concerns to complex, life-threatening circulatory disease. Full details on services and specialists are on the center website.
