ENDOVASCULAR SURGERY-ANGIOPLASTY, STENTING
The Wingspan Stent: An exciting treatment to unblock arteries in the brain and promise new hope to stroke victims.
Similar to how clogged arteries may cause a heart attack, excess plaque can also build up and block arteries within the brain, leading to a stroke.
The Wingspan Stent is used in individuals diagnosed with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) — excess plaque build-up in the arteries within the brain. The idea is to use the Wingspan Stent to ensure a steady flow of blood to the brain and to prevent blood clots that are the major cause of ischemic strokes. The stent is currently used in patients who have had a transient ischemic attack, often referred to as a TIA or mini-stroke, or patients who suffer a stroke while on aspirin or other medical therapy to prevent stroke.
What is the Wingspan Stent Procedure Like?
An endovascular neuroradiologist directs a catheter through the femoral artery in the leg to gain access to the blocked artery in the brain. A balloon catheter is threaded through and expanded to open the blood vessel to its full capacity. Next the Wingspan Stent, a tiny wire-mesh tube, is inserted and placed carefully in the area that was ballooned open. A protective sheath is removed, and the stent self-expands to brace open the inside of the vessel wall.
The Wingspan Stent applies minimal pressure to the blood vessel wall and is designed to adapt to the vessel opening. This allows the blood to flow more freely though the artery. The stent’s flexibility also allows it to conform to curves and various sizes of blood vessels, while providing the ability to treat arteries in areas of the brain that are impossible to treat with traditional neurosurgery techniques.
The Wingspan Stent is often used in conjunction with or following medical therapy. While this procedure has few side effects and a quick recovery time, it is important to find an endovascular neuroradiologist with experience. The blood flow in the brain is vital for a person’s survival, and it requires an experienced physician to carefully manage the pressure and flow so to not overwhelm the brain tissue with a sudden rush of blood.
