Specialized procedure offers high-risk patients an option to help reduce risk of stroke
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 2020)
— Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute surgeon Scott W. Kujath, M.D., FSVS, FACS, has been named a 2020 TCAR Clinical Operator of Experience for improving carotid artery disease treatment using an innovative procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). TCAR is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high surgical risk patients to reduce their risk of stroke.
Dr. Kujath was the first physician in the Kansas City metropolitan area to perform the pioneering procedure in 2017.
Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke. Carotid artery disease is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with more than 427,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone.
TCAR developer, Silk Road Medical, reviewed physicians across the country to recognize the physicians that have embraced the TCAR procedure. TCAR Clinical Operators of Experience have demonstrated a focus on patient outcomes through appropriate patient selection and a well-trained and credentialed vascular specialist team. This recognition demonstrates Dr. Kujath’s commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to their community.
“TCAR is an important new option in the fight against stroke and is particularly suited for the large portion of patients we see who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to age, anatomy or other medical conditions,” said Dr. Kujath. “We are very excited to have been recognized for our efforts to modernize carotid artery repair.”
When TCAR is not an option, Dr. Kujath can perform procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or transfemoral carotid stenting in patients with appropriate indications. The physicians at MAVI provide a variety of carotid interventions based on the best option for each patient.
TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any small bits of plaque that may break off during the procedure 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. Patients recover quickly and almost always go home the next day to return to full and productive lives with less pain and small scars.
Prior to the development of 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.
About Scott Kujath, M.D., FSVS, FACS
Dr. Kujath is a highly respected, board certified vascular surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is well known for his expertise in vascular surgery and effective treatment of chronic wounds and was board certified in undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Dr. Kujath is the Chief of Vascular Surgery at Truman Medical Center and the University of Missouri - Kansas City and is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, University of Kansas and Kansas City University. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Missouri and fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Tennessee-Memphis.
About TCAR
The TCAR procedure was developed by Sunnyvale, California-based Silk Road Medical, Inc. and includes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection (NPS) and Stent System – the first devices designed and FDA-approved specifically for TCAR. Over 20,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively, and the clinical data have been excellent. Additional information about TCAR is available at http://silkroadmed.com/disease-and-treatment-options/.
Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute (MAVI) physicians diagnose and treat a wide variety of vascular disorders, from complex aortic aneurysms to varicose veins. Recognized for their innovative surgical techniques, commitment to education and awareness, and research to advance the options in treatments, its surgeons work as part of a comprehensive team of specialists to deliver the highest quality care. Offices are located in North Kansas City, Liberty and Independence, Missouri, and surgeons serve on the medical staffs of numerous regional area hospitals.
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