Bon Secours now Offers Innovative Treatment to Reduce Stroke Risk

Less Invasive Procedure Treats Those with Carotid Artery Disease

Bon Secours St. Francis is now offering a breakthrough technology called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) to treat patients with carotid artery disease and help prevent future strokes.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Worldwide, nearly 5 million people die from a stroke, and another 5 million are left permanently disabled every year. Carotid artery disease is a buildup of plaque in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, it can often lead to stroke. In fact, up to one-third of strokes are caused by carotid artery disease.

TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so 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.

“We are excited to introduce this new procedure at Bon Secours. TCAR provides a vital option for patients with critical carotid disease, and we are proud to offer it to all patients, regardless of their surgical risk. With TCAR, patients can benefit from the low risk of stroke associated with carotid endarterectomy, while enjoying a significantly shorter procedural time, a less invasive surgery, and a quicker return to normal daily
activities,” said Dr Jeffrey Johnston, Bon Secours Vascular Surgeon. “We believe TCAR represents a significant advancement in the treatment of carotid disease, and we look forward to serving our community by offering this innovative procedure.”

For more information about the procedure, call 864-255-1834. You can learn more about the stroke treatment and care offered at Bon Secours by visiting bonsecours.com.

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System provides compassionate medical care to thousands of area residents through Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside, as well as a network of primary and specialty care practices, and ambulatory care sites across the Greenville region. The mission of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit BonSecours.com.