When Reynold’s doctor noticed something was wrong with his carotid artery, he immediately made a referral.

“He told me, ‘I’m sending you to the best doctor I know, Dr. O’Donnell,’” said Reynold.

“Reynold had a blockage in the artery going to his brain,” said Sean O’Donnell, MD, Medical Director, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute.

“He had not had a stroke … yet,” he added.

Due to Reynold’s overall health, the traditional method of removing plaques causing the blockage was ruled out.

Dr. O’Donnell and his team performed transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), in which a small incision is made at the base of the neck to access the artery.

Blood flow is temporarily rerouted and filtered to remove plaque, then a stent is placed in the artery.

“The next morning, I feel like a brand-new guy,” said Reynold.

“It was amazing how quick he was able to come back,” said his daughter, Maria.

“We are blessed,” she added.