Strokes – Causes and surgical treatment
Strokes are a life-threatening medical emergency that occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted.
When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. Symptoms range from reversible to permanent damage or even death. According to the World Health Organization, this condition is the second leading cause of death, causing approximately 6.2 million deaths per year, or 11% of the total.
This means that strokes are responsible for more deaths annually than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. In Greece, it is estimated that approximately 19,350 people die each year from stroke, a total of 69,028, with survivors experiencing a significant reduction in their quality of life. The forecasts until 2035 are grim with significant increases in these numbers.
Strokes are due to hemorrhages in approximately 10-15% of cases and to ischemia (absence of flow) in approximately 85% of cases.
Ischemic strokes are due to:
- 15-25% of cases to carotid artery stenosis
- 25% of cases to heart disease (such as atrial fibrillation)
- 25% of cases to small vessel disease
In each case, an assessment is made as to whether restoring flow will be beneficial to the patient’s health and whether possible pharmacological thrombolysis or surgical intervention to restore flow is indicated.
At the same time, the cause of the stroke is treated either pharmacologically or surgically, depending on the cause. In the case of carotid artery disease, for example, this means removing the stenosis with open surgery or, in certain cases, using a stent to open the stenosis. In recent years, the hybrid solution of partially open surgery with a stent has also begun.
Medication and/or surgery must be combined with appropriate lifestyle changes in order to eliminate potential risk factors such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, high blood lipid levels, hypertension and dietary choices.
Recognizing the symptoms is important, as is the early and rapid diagnosis and treatment of the stroke in order to achieve the best possible reversal of symptoms and the limitation of chronic effects.
