Congrats to Dr. Camille Jackson & team for successfully performing first TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedure at Highland Hospital
The Department of Surgery and the Division of Vascular Surgery are proud to announce a major milestone for Alameda Health System: the successful performance of our first TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedure at the state-of-the-art Highland Hospital Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory.
One of AHS’ vascular surgeons, Dr. Camille Jackson, residency trained at Highland Hospital and fellowship trained at UCSF, alongside the skilled team at the Highland Hospital Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory, successfully performed the first TCAR procedure. This achievement makes AHS one of the few hospitals in the San Francisco East Bay to offer this innovative, minimally invasive treatment for carotid artery disease, significantly enhancing our vascular care capabilities. TCAR is a novel approach that allows for effective treatment of carotid artery stenosis while minimizing the risk of stroke compared to conventional surgery or an older transfemoral stenting approach in high- risk patients. The procedure involves using a specialized system that temporarily reverses blood flow in the carotid artery to prevent embolic material from reaching the brain, providing a safer and effective alternative for patients at high risk for traditional surgery.
"This is a significant milestone for Alameda Health System, as we continue to expand our capabilities to perform complex cardiovascular procedures," said Lucy Walker, Director of Cardiovascular Services. "I am incredibly proud of our Highland Cath Lab staff for their dedication and expertise in bringing this advanced care to our patients."
"This procedure will greatly expand care for our underserved patient population, offering a safer option for treating carotid artery disease," said Shahram Aarabi, Chief of Vascular Surgery. "We are proud to join Kaiser and Stanford in offering TCAR in the East Bay, further reinforcing our commitment to delivering the highest standard of care regardless of patient socioeconomic status."
The introduction of TCAR underscores AHS’s dedication to advancing vascular care, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the burden of cerebrovascular disease within our community. We are deeply grateful to the entire Highland Hospital Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory and Vascular Surgery teams of physicians, nurses, and staff who helped bring this important procedure to our patients.
