Surgical Team Adds Vascular Technique at Thompson

Earlier this year, Dr. Karina A. Newhall performed the first TCAR (transcarotid revascularization) at Thompson Hospital. Now, the hospital’s Surgical Care Center has several patients undergoing the procedure each month.

“Our community has the ability to have gold standard vascular care, without leaving the area,” said Director of Perioperative Services Patricia James.

Patricia said a TCAR is a minimally-invasive procedure that can clear blockages and open a narrowed carotid artery, preventing stroke. The surgeon makes an incision over the common carotid artery to perform the repair. During the TCAR procedure, the surgical team reverses the blood flow in the area of the blockage. There are filters that collect any clots or plaque to prevent possible stroke.

Thompson Health President/CEO Michael F. Stapleton, Jr., said bringing TCARs to Thompson aligns with the community health system’s strategic plan. “This is imperative in order to meet the needs of the higher acuity patients,” he said.

Dr. Doran S. Mix, who also performs TCARs at Thompson along with Dr. Newhall, congratulated her and Thompson’s vascular surgery team for bringing the procedure to Canandaigua. He called it “a big step forward for our patients.”

The first TCAR was performed in the United States over a decade ago. In a video on the University of Rochester Medical Center’s website, Dr. Michael Stoner – a colleague of Drs. Newhall and Mix – says it’s “an exceedingly safe procedure” with minimal recovery time, often involving only a one-night stay in the hospital. To view the video and learn more about TCAR and other treatments for carotid artery disease, visit https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/heart/treatments/tcar.shtm