Charles Ross and Jeffery Dattilo, two Vanderbilt vascular surgeons, are studying the “Embolic Protection with Flow Reversal”, a new technique for carotid artery stenting. This new technique reverses blood flow to ease the risk of stroke during the minimally invasive procedure.Dattilo and Ross, both assistant professors of Surgery, are leading this clinical study as the principal investigator and co-investigator, respectively. This study is specifically focused on testing the safety and efficiency of the “GORE Neuro Protection System”.
It has been conducted in selected centers in the United States and ‘Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute (VHVI)’ is one of those 30 sites which would be providing the patients, this new technique while undergoing the surgery with minimal invasive procedure.
During the first case study patients underwent the surgery for a block in carotid artery, the artery which supplies blood to the brain. The situation was grave as the block in the artery was located at the side of the neck, placing the patient at high risk for stroke. Blocks in the carotid artery are major cause of strokes. About 30% of strokes happen due to them.
Ross explained the significance of correction of carotid blockage as the risk of first-time and recurrent strokes could be reduced to a considerable extent.