Silk Road Medical Launches Enroute Transcarotid NPS Plus

April 2, 2024—Silk Road Medical, Inc. announced the launch of its Enroute transcarotid neuroprotection system Plus (NPS Plus), a key component of the company’s transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) portfolio.

According to Silk Road, the next-generation NPS Plus device builds upon the previous Enroute transcarotid NPS to deliver smoother arterial sheath insertion, greater flow precision, and a simplified prep experience for surgical teams while maintaining neuroprotection during the TCAR procedure.

“Silk Road Medical’s responsiveness to our feedback has provided us with better procedure predictability and a more streamlined workflow for our entire surgical team," commented Brian Peterson, MD, in the company’s press release.

Dr. Peterson, who is from St. Luke’s Heart and Vascular Institute in Chesterfield, Missouri, added, “With over 500 TCAR procedures performed by our team, we view TCAR as a first-line treatment option for carotid disease and we’re excited about what these improvements mean for patient care.”

The company noted that TCAR combines direct carotid artery access with robust blood flow reversal, providing neuroprotection similar to open surgical techniques in a less-invasive, more patient-friendly approach to treating carotid artery disease.

During TCAR, a tube-like sheath is inserted into the carotid artery and connected to the Enroute neuroprotection system, which temporarily reverses blood flow. The system filters potentially dangerous debris from the blood to reduce intraprocedural stroke risk while the team uses a TCAR-specific balloon and stent to open the artery and contain the carotid artery disease. TCAR delivers < 1% periprocedural stroke rates and a better patient recovery experience than open surgery, stated Silk Road Medical.