St. Luke’s Surgeon Hosts Delegation from China for Trans Carotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) Training
Chesterfield, MO, August 12, 2024 - Brian Peterson, MD, FACS, FSVS, vascular surgeon at St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular Institute, welcomed a medical delegation from China today in advance of the TCAR procedure’s debut in Asia next month. Dr. Peterson is a renowned leader in TCAR, performing nearly 600 TCARs to date. TCAR is used in the treatment of carotid artery disease, which occurs when fatty deposits, or plaques, block the blood vessels that deliver blood to the brain and head (carotid arteries). Approximately 30 percent of strokes are caused by blockages in the carotid artery.
“TCAR has revolutionized the way we treat patients with carotid artery disease who are at risk for stroke,” said Dr. Brian Peterson. “It was an honor to demonstrate for the Chinese delegation from Genesis MedTech that included WenQi, Vascular Surgeon, Clinical Marketing Head of Vascular Interventions and Dr. David Hou, Cardiology, Chief Medical Officer, along with John Liu, VP of International Business, Silk Road Medical. This procedure has dramatically improved the ease with which we gain access to the carotid artery, likely improving upon the already lowest risk of stroke in the surgical and endovascular treatment of carotid artery disease. With almost 600 TCAR procedures performed by our team, we view it as the primary treatment option for carotid disease, and we are delighted to help physicians from around the world learn and perfect it!”
During TCAR, the surgical team inserts a tube-like sheath into the carotid artery and connects it to a system that temporarily reverses blood flow. Unlike stenting performed through with wrist or groin artery, the system filters potentially dangerous debris from the blood to reduce intraprocedural stroke risk while the team uses a balloon and stent to open the artery and contain the carotid artery disease. TCAR delivers less than 1% periprocedural stroke rates (significantly lower than stenting through the wrist or groin artery) and a better patient recovery experience compared to open surgery.
About St. Luke’s
St. Luke's Hospital, a nationally acclaimed independent non-profit, is one of the best regional healthcare systems in the United States. Renowned for its exceptional quality and patient satisfaction, St. Luke's has consistently earned prestigious awards and accolades. The hospital holds the exclusive alliance provider status in the St. Louis market for the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, further solidifying its position as a leader in cardiovascular care. Since its establishment in 1866, St. Luke's has evolved from a single hospital location into an advanced network of care. Its 493-bed hospital in Chesterfield, Mo., and 143-bed St. Luke's Des Peres Hospital serve as hubs for its 60+ specialties and 30 locations throughout the greater St. Louis area.