Carotid Artery Stenting by Cardiologist

Anantapur, 25th July 2023: The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels. There is one on each side of the neck. The carotid artery delivers blood to the brain and head from the heart. We know that Heart attack happens when coronary arteries are blocked. But, an elderly woman suffered from Brain Stroke, due to the complete block write as near total block. KIMS Saveera Hospital doctors of Anantapur identified the issue and treated her on time. Dr. Moode Sandeep, Senior Interventional Cardiologist explained the case details.

‘‘A 65-year-old lady from Anantapur was suffering from severe weakness of the right upper and lower limb. She went to a local neurologist. He identified the issue as Brain Stroke. The MRI scan showed a block in the artery. After further investigations, he came to know that the Carotid Artery, which delivers blood to the brain and head from the heart had a block of 99%. As the issue is much more complicated, he referred the patient to the KIMS Saveera hospital. Hypertension leads to this severe issue. The better option to treat this is stenting. So, we have procured all the devices needed for it and performed Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS). After that, the blood flow to the brain was restored and the patient fully recovered. This procedure was done under local anesthesia. Carotid stenting, is a newer and less invasive procedure in which, a small wire mesh device is threaded into the Carotid Artery to keep it open.

Carotid Artery Stenting is an alternative to Carotid Endarterectomy for the treatment of Atherosclerotic Carotid Artery Stenosis. Potential advantages include avoidance of general anesthesia, avoidance of an incision in the neck with the risk of cranial and cutaneous nerve damage, and a reduction in the rate of general complications of the surgery, for example, myocardial infarction.

This is the very first case of CAS in the entire Rayalaseema region when there is a block of 99% in the Carotid Artery. Moreover, the procedure is done under Aarogyasree Scheme. The reasons for artery blockage are age, cholesterol, and hypertension. This patient has hypertension issues. Previously, such cases are mostly referred to higher centers like Hyderabad and Bangalore. Now, KIMS Saveera Hospital in Anantapur has all modern treatments. Even though the issue is not related to the heart, a cardiologist treated this. The patient should take complete care after getting this stent. Regular follow-up, proper medication, and control of Hypertension, Cholesterol, and Diabetes should be there. She should also undergo physiotherapy. There is no need for sutures in this stenting procedure. So, the patient fully recovered without any complications" explained Dr. Sandeep.

Most people usually think of heart, when they hear about stenting. But here in KIMS Saveera hospital, carotid artery, renal arterial, and peripheral arteries, stenting is also done, said Dr. Moode Sandeep.