First in Colorado: Banner North Colorado Medical Center performs procedure using new stroke-preventing stent

GREELEY, Colo. (Feb. 24, 2026) – Banner North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) is the first hospital in Colorado, and across the entire Banner Health system, to use the new XACT™ Carotid Stent technology made by Abbott, marking an important milestone in advanced stroke-prevention care for patients with carotid artery disease, a major risk factor for stroke.

The first procedure was performed by Timothy Fuller, M.D., and Banner’s vascular team in February 2026 at NCMC. Dr. Fuller and his team are bringing this advanced treatment to patients at the CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado in Greeley.

Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque buildup narrows the arteries that supply blood to the brain, and it is the second leading cause of stroke. Approximately 400,000 people are diagnosed with carotid artery disease each year, and up to 3% of adults ages 65 and older have this disease. Traditionally, severe carotid artery disease is treated with open surgery, making a four-inch incision in the neck and physically removing plaque. While the risks of the procedure are low, as with any surgery, there are risks of infection and blood clots.

However, the XACT™ Carotid Stent System allows for a minimally invasive approach to restoring blood flow and reducing the risk of stroke, as well as minimizing the risks of the more invasive surgery. This new technology is ideal for carotid injuries, such as an aneurysm, or if there is heavy plaque buildup where the artery splits into two branches, like in this patient’s case.

“This first case represents a meaningful advancement for patients in Northern Colorado,” Dr. Fuller said. “Having access to the latest stent technology allows us to offer additional minimally invasive options for patients who may benefit from carotid artery stenting.”

The XACT Carotid Stent Systems are designed to provide precision and strength during carotid artery stenting procedures, offering both traditional transfemoral and transcarotid (TCAR) delivery options. The technology is supported by multiple clinical studies and registries involving more than 10,000 patients, showing it can safely reduce stroke risk and help keep arteries open over time.

“This is exactly the kind of innovation we want available to our community,” said Alan Qualls, CEO of Banner’s North Colorado hospitals. “Being the first in Colorado to offer this technology reflects our commitment to bringing advanced, evidence-based care to patients close to home, without the need to travel to Denver or beyond, which is always a priority for us.”

By introducing this new carotid stent technology, Banner and the CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado continue to expand their ability to treat complex vascular conditions using minimally invasive approaches that can reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.

For more information about vascular and stroke-prevention services at Banner NCMC in Greeley, visit bannerhealth.com.
About Banner North Colorado Medical Center
Banner North Colorado Medical Center is a fully accredited, private, nonprofit facility licensed in Greeley, Colorado owned by Banner Health, a nonprofit health care system with 33 hospitals in six states. It serves as a regional medical center offering a comprehensive scope of community-based and specialty health care services for an area including southern Wyoming, western Nebraska, western Kansas and northeastern Colorado. It offers Emergency care, cancer care, heart care, orthopedics, inpatient and outpatient surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, intensive care, lab and medical imaging and medical air transport. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/ncmc.