Reducing Stroke Risk During Cardiovascular Procedure

In the current age of technology, there are new procedures and treatments are being developed every day to improve patient outcomes in the medical field.  Heart disease affects many people in the United States which demonstrates a need for improved cardiovascular therapies.  Carotid artery disease (CAD) occurs when the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, become narrowed as a result of plaque build up along the artery wall.  Treatment for CAD involves an angioplasty and stent insertion to restore adequate blood flow to the brain.

Traditionally, stent and angioplasty procedures have been preformed by  going through the femoral artery to access the carotid artery to improve blood flow to the brain.  With these procedures, there is a risk of stroke resulting from plaque debris (cholesterol) loosened during the procedure.  This year, a new system has been cleared by the FDA to reduce this stroke risk.  The ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System (ENROUTE TNS) is the first system designed to access the carotid artery directly through the neck.  Once there, the system reverses blood flow from the artery, sending the blood through a filter to gather the loosened debris, and then back into blood stream.  Once implemented, this new cardiovascular procedure can improve patient outcomes.

FDA clears system to reduce stroke risk during stent and angioplasty procedures: Minimally-invasive system is first to access carotid arteries through the neck rather than the groin. (2015, February 9). Retrieved February 15, 2015, from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm433482.htm