Carotid Artery Stenting on local anesthesia at KIMS Saveera Hospital

ANANTAPUR: A 65-year-old lady who suffered a brain stroke was taken for carotid artery stenting in KIMS Saveera Hospital of Anantapur and was saved by the doctors who performed the crucial surgical intervention with local anesthesia.

The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels one on each side of the neck. The carotid artery delivers blood to the brain and head from the heart. Cardiac arrest occurs when coronary arteries are blocked.

But, an elderly woman suffered from brain stroke, due to a near total block in blood vessels. KIMS Saveera Hospital doctors of Anantapur identified the issue and provided treatment in time. Dr Moode Sandeep, senior Interventional Cardiologist explaining the details of the case said that a 65-year-old lady from Anantapur who was suffering from severe weakness of the right upper and lower limb, went to a local neurologist who identified that she suffered a brain stroke.

The MRI scan showed a block in the artery. After further investigations, the doctor came to know that the Carotid Artery, which delivers blood to the brain and head from the heart had a block of 99 percent. She was then referred to KIMS Saveera hospital.

While hypertension could result in such a problem, the better option was to treat the patient with 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,” the doctor said. He added that the 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,” Dr Sandeep explained. Carotid artery stenting was 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.

First in Rayalaseema

The doctor said that this was the very first case of CAS in the entire Rayalaseema region when there was a near-total block in the carotid artery. Moreover, the procedure was done under the ‘Aarogyasree’ Scheme, he added. The reasons for artery blockage are age, cholesterol, and hypertension. This patient suffered from hypertension, earlier such cases were referred to advanced medical care in Hyderabad and Bangalore, he said.

The patient was advised to complete care after the surgery. Regular follow-up, proper medication, and control of Hypertension, Cholesterol, and Diabetes were advised. She should also undergo physiotherapy. There was no need for sutures in this stenting procedure, hence the patient fully recovered without any complications, Dr Sandeep said.

“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” Dr Sandeep said.