Heart Hospital of Austin at St. David's Round Rock first in the U.S. to use novel vascular stent

Round Rock, Texas — Heart Hospital of Austin at St. David’s Round Rock recently became the first facility in the nation to use a newly approved carotid artery stent outside of clinical trials with the TCAR (transcarotid artery revascularization) technique. Bradley Boone, M.D., chief of surgery at Heart Hospital of Austin at St. David’s Round Rock and vascular surgeon with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, performed the procedure in July.

The procedure marked the first use of the stent since its recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the brain, narrowing or blocking them and increasing the risk of stroke.

“This new vascular stent adds an extra layer of safety to the TCAR procedure we’ve been refining for more than a decade,” Dr. Boone said. “Compared to other treatment options, it improves patient outcomes, shortens recovery times and gives more people access to lifesaving care with greater confidence and fewer complications.”

The stent features a fine mesh exterior that acts as a filter, capturing and preventing potentially harmful debris from traveling to the brain, which can cause a stroke. Clinical studies show it has the lowest proven stroke and major complication rate of any available treatment option.

The TCAR technique, when used in combination with this stent, reduces the amount of time patients are under anesthesia, ultimately lowering the risk of stroke, major complications or death, making the procedure safer and more accessible for medically fragile patients.

For more than a decade, Heart Hospital of Austin at St. David’s Round Rock has been a leader in cardiovascular care, continually expanding its capabilities to meet the growing needs of the Williamson County community.