Tenet Healthcare's national medical director for vascular surgery and endovascular therapy has completed his 200th transcarotid artery revascularization — a minimally invasive stroke prevention procedure.
Joseph Ricotta, MD, recently completed the procedure at Delray Medical Center in Florida, according to an Aug. 23 news release sent to Becker's. In 2018 he was the first in the state to perform the TCAR. It's meant for patients diagnosed with carotid artery disease who are at a higher risk for surgical complications.
Compared to a traditional carotid endarterectomy surgical treatment, the less invasive alternative carries a lower risk of stroke, heart attack and death. It requires a shorter hospital stay, with a lower chance of complications such as bleeding and nerve injury.
"TCAR is a new treatment alternative for patients with carotid artery disease aimed to prevent a stroke," Dr. Ricotta said. "Carotid artery disease is the most common cause of stroke and usually occurs when plaque in the carotid artery breaks off and travels to the brain or impedes blood flow which can also cause a stroke."
The procedure essentially allows blood to flow freely to the brain into its intended path free from stroke inducing plaque.