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6 | Health Matters: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center W hen a routine eye exam showed Nancy Brown had suffered two small strokes, she was reminded of the time her father had a stroke. The Santa Clarita woman, now 88, remembered nurses talking about her father and the pros and cons of surgery to prevent future strokes. After her diagnosis, she decided to have the affected carotid artery screened. "We learned she had severe carotid artery blockage—more than 70%," says Sammy Eghbalieh, MD, a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. Dr. Eghbalieh wanted to ensure his patient could maintain her active lifestyle and offered transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) as a surgical option. He explains, "She got cleared for TCAR surgery by the cardiologist." And the surgery was a resounding success. Brown's case is a powerful illustration of the importance of stroke prevention for healthy aging. Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, a leading stroke care center in Los Angeles, offers a comprehensive stroke prevention program that includes TCAR technology, a minimally invasive surgical technique that makes it safer than ever to clear carotid artery blockages that can lead to stroke. Brown's surgery, accomplished with just a two- centimeter incision, was successful. She spent the night in the hospital to be monitored, and by the next morning she was already eating regular food and was discharged without pain. "With TCAR it is safer than ever to clear carotid artery blockages in patients like Nancy. It is changing the game in treating carotid artery disease," says Dr. Eghbalieh. Traditional surgery for carotid artery blockage can be too risky to perform on older patients and patients with other medical issues. Two weeks after surgery, "I was back to normal," says Brown. She resumed all her normal activities the next day—except afternoon gardening due to the August heat. "I haven't had any problems whatsoever. I still drive; I even dry my own hair. I like to garden in the evening when it cools down," she says. THE PATIENT'S NEEDS COME FIRST Traditional surgery involves much higher risks of cranial nerve injury and stroke, and more medication to manage the pain than with TCAR. "The procedure redirects blood flow away from the brain as the carotid artery is being cleared, so debris doesn't flow into the brain," says Adi Iyer, MD, a neurosurgeon with Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. With TCAR, patients have little pain and no significant downtime. TCAR may be utilized soon to repair stroke and other brain maladies. "Direct transcarotid access is key," explains Dr. Iyer. "It opens up possibilities of doing all kinds of brain interventions. It's become a safe option for emergency brain surgeries, too, as it provides quick access, with less risk." BOTTOM LINE: GET CHECKED Experts advise having a physical every year to get blood pressure and cholesterol checked. If heart disease or stroke runs in your family, request a carotid artery screening. "I'm back to normal and today went out shopping," Brown says. "I really hope my story can help others. I didn't want to endure a larger stroke that could be debilitating. This procedure was easy, and I'm so glad it was done!" For more information on TCAR or to find a physician, call 844-987-0486. One Lucky Eye Exam TCAR, a leading-edge treatment for blocked carotid arteries, let Nancy Brown maintain her busy life. Dr. Adi Iyer Dr. Sammy Eghbalieh PROVIDENCE HOLY CROSS: A COMPREHENSIVE STROKE CENTER Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is the busiest thrombectomy center in Los Angeles. As a comprehensive stroke center, Providence Holy Cross offers state-of-the-art carotid artery ultrasounds and screenings to check for carotid artery blockages that may lead to stroke. When treating stroke, time is of the essence, so it helps to have a team with strong collaboration. "Providence Holy Cross has a multidisciplinary approach, and physicians discuss cases and treatment options together—from vascular to neurosurgery," says Adi Iyer, MD, a neurosurgeon with Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.

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