Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a minimally invasive surgery for treating carotid artery disease and preventing future strokes. The traditional treatment for blockages in the carotid artery – the main artery supplying blood to the brain – is an open surgery called carotid endarterectomy, but it’s risky for some patients because of age, anatomy or other medical conditions. TCAR offers an alternative. Instead of making a long incision in the neck and opening the carotid artery, the surgeon works through a small incision to stabilize plaque from inside the artery and restore normal blood flow to the brain.