Innovative Treatment Now Offered at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital for Carotid Artery Disease Less Invasive Procedure Reduces Risk for Stroke

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. March 5, 2024 – Two years ago, Tom Roberts suffered a heart attack and had successful bypass surgery. Since then, he's lived an active life in Southwest Florida, golfing, biking and taking up tennis. During a routine visit to the cardiologist recently, evidence of carotid artery disease was found even though he had no symptoms. 

Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in one or two main arteries that come directly from the heart and provide blood to the brain. If left untreated, this build-up can slow blood flow or dislodge and travel through the artery to the brain, causing a potentially disabling stroke. Carotid artery disease is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. It is the 5th leading cause of death, with 1 in 20 adult deaths, many of which are preventable.

In Tom’s case, the cardiologist recommended that he consult with a vascular surgeon. He met with board-certified general and vascular surgeon Issam Halaby, MD, PH.D., FACS, to discuss his options.  Dr. Halaby recommended an innovative procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR), now offered at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital where he is a member of the medical staff.

"TCAR is an important option in the fight against stroke and is now available to all eligible patients, regardless of their surgical risk status. Since TCAR is less invasive than open surgery or Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA), patients usually have an easier recovery and can return to their normal routine faster," said Dr. Issam Halaby. “Because of TCAR's low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe it represents the future of carotid repair."

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.

"While everything was going very smoothly, and I didn't have any symptoms, I knew that I had a high probability of a future stroke. I am grateful we caught this early so I could have the TCAR done. Now, I have peace of mind and can continue to stay active. It seemed easy compared to my other surgeries, and the recovery was much faster," said Tom. "I received excellent care at Englewood Hospital from the check-in process to the ICU unit. I was out of the hospital the day after the procedure. I feel great and look forward to getting back on the golf course very soon."

Dr. Halaby shared, “The most effective way to reduce the risk of stroke is to prevent it from occurring to begin with. Talk with your doctor about how you can control, manage and treat your risk factors for stroke. If someone you know is experiencing signs of a stroke, face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, don’t delay care. Call 911 immediately. Early treatment saves lives.”

To learn more about the TCAR procedure at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital or to find a physician, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.