In December 2017, vascular surgeons at North Kansas City Hospital began performing transcarotid artery revascularization surgeries, a minimally invasive approach to treat carotid artery disease and help prevent future strokes. In December 2021, Michael Deiparine, MD, a vascular surgeon with the Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute, completed the 100th TCAR at NKCH. MAVI was the first vascular surgery practice in the area to offer this innovative procedure.
Dr. Deiparine appreciates how TCAR carries less risk and improves outcomes over open surgery in certain patients.
“While the gold standard, traditional carotid endarterectomy may carry increased risk for older patients and those with health conditions, including stroke, heart attack and lung issues,” said Dr. Deiparine, who is board certified in vascular surgery. “TCAR takes less time, recovery is faster and there’s less chance for complications than from an open procedure,”
With TCAR, Dr. Deiparine accesses the carotid artery through a small incision in the neck instead of the groin. He places a tube in the carotid artery and connects it to a system that captures debris and directs blood away from the brain. The patient’s blood then flows into a filtering system outside the body to protect the brain from plaque fragments that may break loose during the procedure. Filtered blood is then returned to the body though a second tube in the upper leg. After a stent is placed to open the narrowed carotid artery, flow reversal is turned off and blood flow resumes in its normal direction.
Patients are treated in the hospital under local anesthetic with sedation or general anesthesia. Patients typically are discharged after a one-night stay. While recovery after a traditional carotid endarterectomy is three to four weeks, recovery with TCAR is about one week.
MAVI Adds Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recently granted MAVI with a two-year vascular surgery fellowship program, with NKCH as one of the participating sites.
The program provides comprehensive vascular education and training experiences leading to the development of clinically and technically competent vascular surgeons who provide high-quality, consistent care and are professionals capable of practicing effectively in a wide range of vascular surgery settings.
Michael Deiparine, MD
Dr. Deiparine earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin. He completed his internship and residency in general surgery at the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency. He then was a vascular surgery fellow at Loma Linda University Medical Center.