16215 S Jog Road, Suite 100
Delray Beach, FL 33446

561-303-0013
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Tenet Florida Cardiovascular Care News

Congratulations to Joseph J. Ricotta MD, MS, DFSVS, FACS, National Medical Director, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy for the Palm Beach Health Network and Tenet Healthcare, and his team on completing their 250th TCAR procedure!

In June of 2018, Delray Medical Center was the first in South Florida to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). The procedure was performed by Joseph J. Ricotta MD, MS, FACS, Regional Medical Director, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy.

TCAR (tee-kahr) is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high surgical risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.

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; it is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with 400,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone.

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

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 4,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively, and the clinical data have been excellent.

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Tenet Florida Cardiovascular Care
16215 S Jog Road
Suite 100
Delray Beach, FL 33446
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Dr. Joseph J Ricotta MD, MS, FACS Performs First TCAR in South Florida

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Testimonials

"Dr. Ricotta and his staff made me feel at ease from the moment I walked into his office. Everyone at the Vascular Institute of Atlanta treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism. They made me feel valued and important, and not just another part on an assembly line. Dr. Ricotta is empathetic, caring, and extremely talented. I am so lucky to have been referred to him. He is truly a 'Top Doctor.'"

K.A.

Prime Vascular Institute

Disease and Treatments Library

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An aneurysm is a ballooning or dilation of a blood vessel to more than 150% of its normal size. This is caused by damage to the lining ...

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Carotid Disease

Stroke, sometimes caused by Carotid Disease, is the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States with >750,000 new cases each year ...

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Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common circulatory problem that affects 12 million people in the United States. It occurs when plaque ...

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Venous Disease

Venous disease refers to all conditions caused by abnormal or diseased veins, usually involving veins in the legs or arms, but can also ...

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