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CNN Live At Daybreak

Stents Help Prevent Strokes in Surgery Patients

Aired June 15, 2001 - 07:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: There is hope now for preventing strokes. New research is showing us that devices called stents can help prevent strokes in patients who are undergoing surgery on the main artery that supplies blood to the brain.

Our medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a neurosurgeon.

And you just happen actually to do this kind of surgery. So what can you tell us about all this?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, having carotid artery surgery -- tens of thousands of patient undergo this procedure every year -- and it's a procedure that's used actually to clean out the carotid arteries if they get narrowed.

Now, this is done to prevent strokes. As surgeons, we worry about stroke occurring immediately after the operation. If that stroke occurs, what we typically have done is rush the patient back to the operating room for a second procedure.

What this study talks about instead, Linda, is that they use a balloon stent instead of rushing patients back to the operating room. And here's exactly how it was done: Surgeons actually threaded a catheter from the groin up into the carotid artery, deployed a balloon stent, and subsequently opened the blood vessel. Consequently, this improved blood flow to the brain.

Researchers found that the procedure worked to reestablish the blood flow in patients. About 18 of them that went underwent the procedure were subsequently able to avoid a second operation. So it's sort of a secondary option for patients who might have a stroke during the operation.

STOUFFER: But what's the perspective on that? Does it happen a lot? Is it pretty common?

GUPTA: Good point. You know, when you have this sort of operation, you're having it done to prevent stroke. Doctors go and look at your neck and see if your blood vessels have narrowed to a certain point, which places you at increased risk for stroke -- you have the operation to prevent the stroke.

Actually, having a stroke during the operation is relatively rare. Some studies have shown 1 percent. Some studies have showed up to 9 percent. But it can be serious, even fatal, if it does occur.

STOUFFER: Well, for someone who thinks they have a problem, and they think they might be a good candidate for this surgery, is this saying don't get it, or just be aware of it? Is it just something to consider?

GUPTA: No, in fact, I think it may be another argument actually to go ahead and get it and feel a little bit more comfortable that there are things to do if the stroke occurs. Again, you know, if you're at risk for heart disease, it's the same sort of risk factors for carotid disease.

And you have to get your carotid arteries checked. They actually do that with a little Doppler.

If your carotid arteries are narrowed beyond a certain point, you're recommended the surgery. A lot of trials have shown that is beneficial.

But if the stroke occurs at that time, here's an option for you.

STOUFFER: Dr. Gupta, thank you very much for that. Good to hear about some solutions being found. Thank you.

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