Cerebral angioplasty is a medical procedure in which blocked blood vessels are opened present in the brain or neck region. The cerebral angioplasty procedure is almost the same as the angioplasty procedure performed in heart patients. When the blood vessels become blocked due to any reason, this procedure is performed to restore the blood flow in the brain to avoid any further complications. There are many conditions where blood flow to the brain becomes slow and does not supply all the tissues of the brain. This can further lead to tissue death in the brain if blood flow is not restored. So the surgeons perform the procedure and open up the blood vessels and restore the block in blood vessels. There are many conditions or risk factors that can create this type of complication. For example, high cholesterol can block the blood vessels. There are many types of angioplasty procedures and the type of procedure chosen for the patients depends on the condition of the patient and suitability of the surgeon. Sometimes an additional procedure is performed with angioplasty known as stent placement where a device is placed at the area of the block to keep the blood vessel open. Cerebral angioplasty procedure can be complicated because it has many risk factors that should be managed by a skilled surgeon.
Some of the types of cerebral angioplasty are:
This is a standard procedure where a catheter with a deflated balloon is inserted into the blocked cerebral artery. After reaching the blocked site, the balloon is inflated to push the clot and open up the artery to restore proper blood flow.
In cases where a blood vessel is severely narrowed or at risk of damage after balloon angioplasty, a stent may be used. A stent is a mesh-like tube that is placed within the blood vessel and is expanded to keep it open. This can help prevent a second brain attack.
This procedure is commonly used to treat wide blood vessels of the brain rather than narrow vessels. It involves the insertion of small metal coils into the wide area through a catheter. The coils induce clotting within the area and effectively seal it off from the main blood vessel to prevent rupture.
Thrombectomy is a surgical procedure to remove blood clots from the blood vessels in the brain. It is performed in cases of sudden brain attacks to quickly restore blood flow to the affected tissues of the brain. However, it is not a traditional method of angioplasty.
In some cases, bypass surgery may be required when blood vessels become blocked at different levels rather than at one site. During this procedure, a surgeon creates a new pathway for blood to flow around the blocked blood vessel. In this procedure, a blood vessel from another part of the body can be used to make a new pathway of blood flow.
The general overview of the procedure of cerebral angioplasty is described below:
Anesthesia: Anesthesia is administered to reduce the effect of pain and discomfort during the surgical procedure of cerebral angioplasty.
Catheter Insertion: A thin, flexible catheter is carefully inserted into a blood vessel present in the thigh or the wrist. The choice depends on the suitability of the patient and the skills of the surgeon.
Guidance with Imaging: Specialized advanced technology X-ray is used to guide the catheter through the blood vessels toward the area of concern in the brain.
Angiography: Once the catheter is in place, an X-ray picture of the cerebral blood vessels is obtained. This provides detailed information about the location of the narrow blood vessel and the severity of the condition.
Balloon or Stent Placement: If necessary, the neurosurgeon may use the catheter to position a deflated balloon or stent at the site of the narrowed or blocked artery.
Angioplasty: In the case of balloon angioplasty, the balloon is inflated at the narrowed site to compress the clot against the walls of the blood vessel and to open up the vessel. For stent-assisted angioplasty, the stent is expanded to keep the artery open.
Closure: Once the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed, and the insertion site is typically closed by using either sutures or a closure device. Pressure is applied to the site to reduce the chances of bleeding.
The cost of cerebral angioplasty in India ranges from 2300 USD to 3200 USD. The cost can vary according to the need for an additional procedure of stent placement. It can also vary according to the condition or complications of an individual patient.
Treatment Costs in India | Min in USD | Max in USD |
Cerebral Angioplasty | 2397 USD | 3197 USD |
Some of the indications of cerebral angioplasty are as follows:
Some of the risk factors of cerebral angioplasty are as follows:
During the surgical procedure of cerebral angioplasty, there is a risk of bleeding at the site where the catheter is inserted into the blood vessel.
There is a risk of infection after the procedure. But sometimes the infection can appear late after the procedure.
Some patients may have an allergic reaction to different tools and medications that are used in the surgical procedure. However, not all patients show these allergic responses.
There is a risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels of the brain that can travel to other parts of the brain. This can further create life-threatening complications.
The catheter used during the procedure can also damage the artery being treated which can lead to damage or injury.
In some cases, the blood vessels become narrow again after the first surgical procedure of cerebral angioplasty. It may require a revision surgical procedure.
The contrast dye used in angioplasty can sometimes affect the function of the kidney. The risk is higher in patients with already existing kidney problems.
There is a small risk of neurological complications after the cerebral angioplasty. For example, the patient may experience changes in attention and cognitive functions after the surgical procedure.
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