DALLAS, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- A minimally invasive technique coupled with a first-of-its-kind device, may offer an alternative to major surgery for patients with carotid artery disease (CAD) who are at higher-than-normal risk for stroke. Cardiologists on the medical staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas (PHD) are the first in Dallas and among the first in the country to use the FDA-approved Acculink(R) stent and the Accunet(R) protection system to open one or both of the carotid arteries, while also reducing the risk of stroke for patients. According to device manufacturer Guidant(R), the Accunet protection system decreases risk for stroke by helping capture plaque particles that may loosen and travel upstream during the procedure. Stroke is the third-most common cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of disability in adults, according to the American Heart Association.
“For patients who are at high risk for surgical treatment, this procedure provides a potentially safer and more effective alternative to carotid endardectomy,” said James B. Park, MD, interventional cardiologist on the medical staff at PHD. “The combination of a stenting system with the ability to capture and remove deadly plaque in the carotid arteries is significant.”
CAD is characterized by the build-up of plaque inside the carotid arteries (located in the neck), which carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. Carotid endardectomy is the standard surgical treatment for stroke prevention in patients with CAD; yet, it is an invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia that requires an incision in the patient’s neck and days spent in the hospital.
The new, less-invasive procedure couples traditional angioplasty and stenting techniques -- much like those used in opening clogged heart vessels -- to unblock and reopen the carotid arteries. The Accunet embolic protection system introduces the added benefit of helping capture a blood clot, or embolus, if it became dislodged during the stenting process.
During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a small incision in the groin and navigated to the blockage site. The Accunet device is introduced through the catheter and deployed past the blockage site. Much like a tiny protective basket, the embolic protection device helps capture loose and potentially damaging debris. Next, a balloon catheter is guided to the blockage site to push plaque against the artery walls and open up the vessel. A third catheter then delivers the Acculink stent and deploys it to maintain the open artery. Lastly, the protective basket is removed.
An estimated 20 to 30% of strokes are caused by particles of atherosclerotic plaque, which travel upstream into vessels that supply the brain, according to the American Heart Association. Approximately 730,000 strokes are reported each year in the United States and about 150,000 of these events result in death.
For more information on cardiology services at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, go to http://www.phscare.org/ . For more information on Acculink and Accunet, go to http://www.guidant.com/ .
About Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
Established in 1966, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas (PHD) celebrates 38 years of service and is the flagship hospital of Presbyterian Healthcare System. PHD is recognized for quality care in women’s and infant’s, cardiovascular, orthopedics, neuroscience, digestive/surgery, oncology, and primary care services. PHD is a referral center serving the North Texas region and beyond. The 866-bed facility maintains approximately 4,000 employees and an active medical staff of more than 900 physicians.
Contacts: Linda Goelzer, Public Relations 214.345.4960/214.759.2584 (Pager) lindagoelzer@texashealth.org Gina Cook, Marketing 214.345.8129 ginacook@texashealth.org
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
CONTACT: Linda Goelzer, Public Relations, +1-214-345-4960, or pager,+1-214-759-2584, or lindagoelzer@texashealth.org , or Gina Cook, Marketing,+1-214-345-8129, or ginacook@texashealth.org , both of Presbyterian Hospitalof Dallas
