Parkview surgeon completes 50th transcarotid artery revascularization procedure

Minimally invasive approach can help prevent stroke

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - June 8, 2026 - Parkview Heart Institute (PHI) surgeon Dr. Peter Ali recently completed the 50th transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), an innovative, minimally invasive procedure that can help reduce stroke risk for patients with carotid artery disease.

Using the ENROUTE™ Transcarotid Neuroprotection System, surgeons can now temporarily reverse blood flow during stenting to protect the brain from any small bits of plaque that may break off while working inside a narrowed artery. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, reducing the risk of a future stroke.

"TCAR has been a game changer for helping patients facing serious risk of stroke from plaque buildup in the arteries in their neck," Ali said. "The innovative TCAR procedure allows us to not only intervene to maintain blood flow to the brain, but also significantly reduces the risk of complications during the procedure if some of that plaque breaks free."

Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can lead to stroke either from reduced blood flow through narrowed vessels or from a blockage in the brain when solid plaque breaks off and clogs smaller vessels.

Stroke is the No. 4 most common cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of long-term disability. Up to one-third of strokes are caused by carotid artery disease.

Prior to TCAR, the main treatment option for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure which carried multiple risks including bleeding, infection, heart attack and cranial nerve injuries that can cause issues with swallowing, speaking and sensation in the face.

Because the surgery required a large incision in the neck, patients also required post-surgical wound care and were left with a sizable surgical scar. The other option was stenting the carotid artery after accessing the femoral artery in the groin. This required a portion of the procedure to be completed prior to establishing neuroprotection and has an increased risk of stroke.

With TCAR, patients require only a small incision just above the collarbone. Surgeons insert a small tube that filters blood and allows temporary reversal of blood flow away from the brain, so any dislodged plaque is captured and removed. Since the incision is smaller, patients are typically discharged within 24 hours and can return to normal activity within a week.

The ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection and Stent System being used at Parkview are the first devices designed and FDA-approved specifically for TCAR. More than 100,000 TCAR procedures have been performed nationwide through clinical trials and commercial use.

Dr. Ali is originally from Fort Wayne and attended Homestead High School prior to leaving to complete his education. Dr. Ali returned to Indiana when he joined Parkview in August 2025 after completing his doctorate in medicine at Indiana University and completing surgical training with Michigan State University and the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Ali and Dr. Adam Cloud at Parkview are the only cardiovascular surgeons performing TCAR in northeast Indiana. Dr. Ali is also the only surgeon in the region who performs thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis procedures to treat complex abdominal and thoracoabdominal aneurysms.

"Dr. Ali is providing life-changing opportunities to his patients via TCAR and is just one example of the many highly specialized surgeons and physicians practicing at the Parkview Heart Institute," said Dr. Roy Robertson, president, PHI. "Parkview continues to explore new technology, new techniques and new procedures to bring cutting-edge heart care to our patients. As the region's only dedicated cardiovascular institute, patients can receive world-class care for everything from high blood pressure to heart failure right here in Fort Wayne."

For more information about the Parkview Heart Institute, including its more than a dozen specialty clinics, visit https://www.parkview.com/locations/parkview-heart-institute.