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Updated05/24/2012 05:55 PM
Advancements in medical technology are making it easier for patients to recover from a stroke. The first ever stent approved specifically for the treatment of blood clots hit U.S. hospitals a month and a half ago. Upstate University Hospital was one of those early adopters. As our Katie Gibas reports, doctors say it's easier, faster and safer for patients.
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- We've all heard the symptoms.
"Problems talking, weakness in the arms or legs, numbness, tingling. Those are some of the major symptoms of stroke," said Dr. Eric Deshaies, the SUNY Upstate Neurovascular Center Director.
The good news for those patients is a new treatment method is making it easier, faster and safer to treat blood clots in the brain. The Solitaire FR Revascularization Device was approved for widespread use in the U.S. about a month and a half ago. The device deploys a small metal net, called a stent, into the artery where the clot is. The doctor is able to grab the blood clot with the stent and pull it out.
"With this stent, we've been able to remove clots much faster than with the other devices. And again, the faster you get the blood clot out, the sooner you get blood flow and oxygen to the brain, the more likely a patient is to recover," said Deshaies.
Before this technology, doctors would have to use either a corkscrew type device or a suction tool like a vacuum to get the blockage out.
The Solitaire FR Revascularization Device is the first retractable stent and the first stent designed for stoke therapy.
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New stroke treatment is easier, safer and faster for patients