Caitlin Whyte (Host): Transcarotid artery
revascularization or TCAR is an exciting procedure offered at Coffee Regional
Medical Center that can reduce the risk of a stroke during a carotid surgery.
So to learn more, we are joined today by Dr. Thomas Wehmann, a board-certified
vascular surgeon.

Host: This is Discussions With The Doc, a podcast from
Coffee Regional Medical Center. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. Dr. Wehmann, it's
so great to have you back on the show today. We are going to learn about the
new vascular procedure you are offering at Coffee Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: Thank you for having me today.

Host: Well, just again to start us off here, can you
give us a little bit about yourself and your medical background?

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: Yes. I'm triple board-certified in
general surgery, vascular surgery and wound care. I've been practicing medicine
for about 38 to 40 years. Last 10 years have been here in Coffee County at
Coffee Regional Medical Center. As an experienced vascular surgeon, I perform a
variety of endovascular or minimally invasive surgeries including vein,
arterial, carotid artery, balloon angioplasty, stents and atherectomy.

Host: Well, that is great to hear and we are so happy to
have you with us here at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Dr. Raymond, I know
you are here today to share with us a vascular procedure to treat carotid
artery disease. Please share some more information with us.

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: Yes. Coffee Regional is now offering
a breakthrough technology called transcarotid artery revascularization, or
simply TCAR, which treats patients diagnosed with carotid artery disease or
carotid blockage. While any repair of the carotid arteries carry some risk of
causing a stroke because of the repair itself, TCAR is designed to help
minimize that risk by keeping potential stroke-causing fragments away from the
brain.

Host: Now, doctor, can you share more on how TCAR
differs from the traditional carotid surgery?

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: Certainly. Traditional carotid
surgery, which is generally known as carotid endarterectomy or CEA, accesses
the carotid artery using an approximately two to three-inch incision in the
neck. This new procedure, TCAR, involves direct access to the carotid artery,
but through a much smaller incision at the neck just above the clavicle.

During the TCAR procedure, a tube is inserted into the carotid
artery and it's connected to a special system that temporarily reverses blood
flow away from the brain to protect against dangerous debris from reaching the
brain during the procedure. This is how the risk of stroke is minimized. The
system filters the blood catching any plaque or debris before returning it to a
vein in the groin or leg. A stent is implanted directly into the carotid artery
to stabilize the plaque and prevent future strokes. The entire procedure is
performed in less than half the time of carotid endarterectomy, limiting stress
on the heart and significantly cutting the risk of the patient having a stroke
or heart attack during the procedure.

Host: And you mentioned that blood flow is reversed.
Does that carry any risk?

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: That's a great question. We have a
carotid artery on both sides of our necks, and we have two blood vessels in the
back of the neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to our brain. Since we have this
flow on both sides and in the back, we are able to safely reverse one side
during the carotid procedure and our brain still receives adequate blood flow.

Host: Well, that is very interesting. I can certainly
see how the filtration system minimizes the risk for stroke during the carotid
procedure. Tell us a little more about the expected recovery time with this
procedure please.

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: Yes. Patients who undergo TCAR
procedure recover quickly. They have minimal pain. They typically spend just
one night in the hospital for observation. Seeing my patients return to full
and productive lives with less pain, smaller scars and a reduced risk of future
stroke is very rewarding.

Host: Well, this has been very informative indeed,
doctor. Thank you for sharing with us today. Do you have any closing remarks
before we wrap it up?

Dr. Thomas Wehmann: Sure. We are fortunate to have a
specialized vascular care here in Douglas, Georgia. I would encourage our
listeners to call Coffee Regional Surgical Group if you or a loved one has been
diagnosed with carotid artery stenosis or carotid artery disease. Our services
are covered by most insurances and can truly change the trajectory of a
patient's life. We are happy to offer consults and speak with you to answer any
questions. You can give us a call at (912) 384-5832 or stop by our clinic
located next to Coffee Regional Medical Center on the first floor of our 100
Doctors Building.

Host: Well, Dr. Wehmann, thank you again so much for
being on the show today. It was just a pleasure to have you on. You can find
more about Dr. Wehmann, TCAR and more at coffeeregional.org. If you found this
podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out the full
podcast library for topics of interest to you. This has been Discussions With
The Doc, a podcast from Coffee Regional Medical Center. Thank you for
listening.

We've decided to create this podcast to educate our community
and enlighten those throughout our great nation about rural healthcare. We hope
you subscribe and enjoy Discussions With The Doc. Thank you for listening to
this podcast sponsored by Coffee Regional Medical Center, where our purpose is
to serve, to heal, to save.

Host: This concludes today's episode of Discussions With
The Doc. We invite you to download, subscribe, rate and review our podcast on
Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. For more episodes and information
on our providers and services, visit us online at coffeeregional.org. This
program aims to enhance your health and wellness knowledge by fulfilling the
vision of coffee Regional Medical Center, healthy lifestyles, better lives.

Disclaimer: None of the information provided in this
episode should serve as a diagnosis or approval of the treatment for any
ailment. The information and opinions provided in the podcast do not create any
type of doctor patient relationship. By listening to this podcast, you agree
not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in
either yourself or others including, but not limited to, patients that you are
treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be
having. The opinions of the guests do not necessarily represent the opinion of
Coffee Regional Medical Center.