Lankenau Medical Center among first in Philadelphia region to offer innovative TCAR procedure to treat carotid artery disease
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.
“Patients who fall into a high-risk category should not have to choose between treatment and quality of life. TCAR offers a safe, effective alternative to traditional treatments for carotid artery disease,” says Alexander Uribe, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Main Line Health. “To be among the first in our region to offer this treatment as an option for high-risk patients is another testament to Main Line Health’s reputation for excellent stroke care and intervention.” The Lankenau Heart Institute team of vascular specialists who use minimally invasive approaches such as TCAR and provide a full range of vascular care include Henry Hirsch, MD, Robert Meisner, MD, and Vincent DiGiovanni, DO.
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.
Prior to TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Unlike TCAR, CEA requires a large incision, leaves a visible scar the length of the neck and carries 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.
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. TCAR has been studied extensively and is an FDA-cleared procedure. Over 25,000 procedures have been performed worldwide, and the clinical data have been excellent. Based on published clinical trials, the procedure offers several advantages, including better outcomes and a quicker recovery.
About Lankenau Heart Institute
Lankenau Heart Institute is Main Line Health's premier comprehensive cardiovascular program, bringing together the collective expertise of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and advanced practice providers across all four of the System's acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital. Through a coordinated approach, Lankenau Heart Institute offers a full continuum of high-quality cardiovascular care, from prevention and diagnostics to advanced treatments and rehabilitation, delivered with a commitment to excellence in outcomes and patient experience.
A leader in innovation, Lankenau Heart Institute is at the forefront of minimally invasive and transcatheter procedures for coronary revascularization, valve repair and replacement, complex aortic surgery and the treatment of advanced heart failure and arrhythmias. Its pioneering work in robotic-assisted and beating-heart techniques and minimally invasive valve repair continue to shape the future of cardiovascular care. With a robust and growing presence in national clinical trials, its physicians regularly participate in groundbreaking research focused on the latest therapies, technologies and procedures, focusing primarily on less invasive approaches.
About Lankenau Medical Center
Founded in 1860, Lankenau Medical Center is recognized among the top hospitals in the Philadelphia region for exceptional patient care. We offer a comprehensive range of primary care, disease prevention, and specialized medical and surgical services, including advanced treatments in cardiovascular, cancer care, maternity and orthopaedics and a level II trauma center.
Neonatologists from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provide specialized newborn and neonatal intensive care in our level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
A leader in medical education, Lankenau Medical Center trains a diverse group of residents and fellows participating in various programs across multiple specialties. The hospital is also home to the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, where groundbreaking research advances the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and offers access to clinical trials.
Lankenau Medical Center combines compassionate care with cutting-edge technology in a patient-centered environment.
About Main Line Health
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health® is a not-for-profit health system serving the Philadelphia region and beyond. Main Line Health consists of five hospitals, six health centers and over 150 medical practice locations. The System has more than 14,000 employees and over 2,100 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers.
At its core are four of the region's most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as one of the nation's premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. Main Line Health also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, providing skilled home healthcare, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square; and Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization.
Main Line Health's medical staff benefits from a collaborative relationship including independent physicians, community healthcare professionals and hospital-based experts from Main Line HealthCare, the employed multi-specialty physician network of Main Line Health.
Main Line Health collaborates with top experts to deliver exceptional specialty care. Through our affiliation with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, doctors and advanced practice providers care for pediatric patients at select Main Line Health locations, including the neonatal intensive care units at Main Line Health's four acute care hospitals, as well as Bryn Mawr Hospital's Inpatient Pediatric Unit and Emergency Department. Jefferson Health neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists provide 24/7 specialized care, including neurointervention and lifesaving stroke care, and trauma surgeons provide critical care to our patients. Through our affiliation with Sheppard Pratt — a nonprofit provider of mental health services, substance use, developmental disability and other comprehensive behavioral health support — patients receive compassionate care in a welcoming environment.
For more information, visit mainlinehealth.org and connect with us on social media:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/main-line-health
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mainlinehealth
X (formerly known as Twitter): www.twitter.com/mainlinehealth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mainlinehealth
Contact
Phil Ellingsworth, Jr.Director, Communications
Office: 484.580.1182
EllingsworthPh@mlhs.org