In MC Erebouni 69 years old patient was performed concurrent endarterectomy of both carotid arteries with life-threatening pathologies. As explained in interview with journalists on April 21st Head of neck vessel surgery and stroke prevention unit of MC Erebouni Dr. Mesrop Shatakhyan, MD, endarterectomy of both carotid arteries was performed earlier , but with such severe pathologies , each of which could lead to ischemic stroke , has been performed in Armenia for the first time.
According to the doctor, on the one hand a 69 year-old man had an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery , and from this side he had already had a stroke , and from the other side – detachment of the vessel wall. Doing the surgery step-by-step was impossible: on both sides there were indications for urgent intervention . “ Thus it was decided to perform both arteries at once. This is rather aggressive intervention for the patient , but everything was succeeded and went smoothly”. – he explained .
The doctor added , that the surgery on carotid and vertebral arteries is the best prevention of ischemic stroke. “ Such surgeries are life-prolonging and preserving the population. Usually after such surgeries the patient hasn `t any constriction and problems at that place for 10-15 years”-said he.
According to Mesrop Shatakhyan , constriction and occlusion of carotid arteries are practically asymptomatic, so the doctor advices everyone over 50 years of age to do Doppler examination and CT- angiography of the vessels once a year . He reminded , that risk factors for vascular pathologies are smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Mesrop Shatakhyan reminded, that neck vessel surgery and stroke prevention unit of MC Erebouni was established in 2011 , since the need for such surgeries was very high. He estimates that the need for such surgeries is 2000 people per year, but in MC Erebouni, the leader among Armenian clinics for such surgeries- are performed for only about a hundred. “ In comparison with other clinics this is a big figure, but compared to general need- is minimal”- he said and noticed, that the surgery on one artery in MC Erebouni costs 900 000 drams, on two- 1 100 000. Beneficiaries of various social programs are operated free of charge or on preferential terms.
