Sudhan Offers Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Procedure

3/21/2022

GADSDEN, ALABAMA, March 21, 2022—Sudhan Nagarajan, M.D., a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates, is now performing transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)—a less-invasive approach to treat carotid artery disease and reduce the risk of stroke—at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. TCAR (tee-kahr) is a clinically proven and minimally invasive approach for high surgical risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Worldwide, nearly five million people die from a stroke, and another five million are left permanently disabled every year. 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. With up to a third of strokes caused by carotid artery disease, Gadsden Regional Medical Center offers patients minimally invasive options such as TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) to prevent future strokes with a faster recovery time and an increased chance of being discharged to home.

“TCAR is an important 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 Dr. Sudhan. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of treatment of carotid artery disease.”

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). CEA removes plaque from inside the carotid artery to restore normal blood flow to the brain, but the 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.

Dr. Sudhan is currently the only surgeon in Etowah County to perform the TCAR procedure.

To request an appointment with Dr. Sudhan at Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates, please call (256) 413-6201 or visit https://bit.ly/drsudhan, and click on “Request an Appointment.” If you do not have a primary care physician, visit GadsdenPhysicianClinics.com to request an appointment.

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