Most medical conditions have a stigma attached to them – especially ones involving the brain. Many of us know someone who has died suddenly from a stroke or aneurysm; but unlike generations past, people with these conditions today have a higher survival rate and fewer complications because of advancements in the field of neurology.

Almost 800,000 people suffer from a stroke each year and an estimated six million Americans have an unruptured brain aneurysm. “Recognizing the signs of each is important because it can save your life,” says Victor Aletich, MD, director of endovascular neurosurgery with Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

Stroke
Identifying a stroke early is key to minimizing long-term effects. “Many people have warning signs before they have a stroke,” says Dr. Aletich. “If you experience dizziness, numbness in the arms or legs or temporary vision loss, it’s important to see a doctor right away.” To learn more about strokes, read “Stroke: Why timely treatment is a matter of life and death.” 

To help treat stroke patients, doctors at Adventist Midwest Health use the latest technology, including the MERCI^® Retriever. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the groin to the brain artery that is clogged. The MERCI Retriever, a small mechanical-like corkscrew, uses special techniques to remove the clot and restore normal blood flow. Patients are able to leave the hospital a day or two later.

Brain aneurysm
A brain – or cerebral – aneurysm occurs from continuous wear and tear to the arterial wall of the brain, creating a weak bulging spot. An aneurysm isn’t usually caught until it hemorrhages, or bleeds, in the brain. Signs include:

• Severe headache
• Vision disturbances
• Difficulty thinking or processing information
• Changes in speech
• Loss of balance
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Short-term memory difficulty
• Decreased concentration

“These are all signs that you might have an aneurysm that is about to rupture,” says Dr. Aletich. “If you are experiencing any of these other symptoms, you should go to the hospital right away.”

At Adventist Midwest Health, surgeons are using the newest minimally invasive techniques to treat patients. One of these is coil embolization, which treats a brain aneurysm from within the blood vessel, eliminating the need for open surgery. Instead, surgeons use real-time X-ray technology to see inside the patient’s body.

Similar to the MERCI Retriever stroke treatment, coil embolization involves a catheter with specialized coils that is inserted in the groin and fed to the brain to block blood flow to the aneurysm, which prevents it from rupturing. The coils are made out of platinum, which is flexible enough to conform to the bubble-like shape of the aneurysm and allows it to be seen on an X-ray. “Patients go home the day after surgery, which is quicker than ever before,” Dr. Aletich says.

“We have all the endovascular and minimally invasive capabilities that university hospitals have,” Dr. Aletich says. “Now patients have access to these advancements right in their own communities.”

For more information or to find a physician, call us at 866-533-7968.