Memorial Hermann Northeast expands cardiovascular services - Atascocita

Published: Oct 31, 2018, 11:00am

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HUMBLE, Texas – Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital now offers a minimally invasive stroke prevention procedure for people with carotid artery disease. It’s called transcarotid artery revascularization, or TCAR.

Carotid artery disease develops when fatty deposits, or plaque, clog the blood vessels delivering blood to the brain. Over time, the blood flow becomes restricted, increasing the risk for a stroke. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of strokes are caused by the disease, which afflicts 200,000 people every year in the United States.

“During the TCAR procedure, we use specialty catheters to open the artery and insert a stent to allow for better blood flow. We also filter the blood to eliminate any debris that may have gotten into the blood stream during the stenting. This lowers the risk of a potential stroke,” said Kousta Foteh, M.D., a vascular surgeon and Chief of Vascular Surgery at Memorial Hermann Northeast.

Dr. Foteh says the TCAR can be an option for anyone with carotid artery disease, but it is especially beneficial for those who may not be good candidates for open vascular surgery.

“This minimally invasive method not only requires a smaller incision, but it also puts less stress on the heart. Patients can expect a faster recovery and shorter length of stay in the hospital compared to an open vascular surgery,” says Dr. Foteh.

Memorial Hermann Northeast offers high-quality heart and vascular care through a network of affiliated physicians, including cardiologists, electrophysiologists and vascular surgeons. From preventive care and imaging to surgery, the multidisciplinary team utilizes state-of-the-art technology to treat a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. For more information, call 713.222.CARE or visit http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/northeast/heart-and-vascular-care/