Lucky in her misfortune was a 46-year-old mother who collapsed at the gym from a brain aneurysm. The woman was transported to Evangelismos where she was saved thanks to the newly established Center for Brain Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Dysplasias that has been operating in the hospital for the last few months.
While the 46-year-old mother was doing her usual weight training at the gym, she felt a sudden malaise and a severe headache – unlike any other headache she had experienced in the past – as well as severe pain in her neck. The woman made her way to the locker room where she then collapsed.
He was rushed to Evangelismos hospital, where the doctors made a very alarming diagnosis: subarachnoid hemorrhage as a result of a brain aneurysm. This is a life-threatening condition caused by bleeding in the space surrounding the brain.
Fortunately, the patient was lucky in her misfortune. For 6 months now, a special Center for Brain Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Dysplasias has been re-opening in Evangelismos, with the contribution of the commander of the “Evangelismos” Hospital, Mr. Tasos Grigoropoulos.
The intervention that saved the life of the 46-year-old woman
The minimally invasive procedure the woman underwent involves navigating catheters through the vasculature to the site of the aneurysm and placing clots, or stents, to stop blood flow to the aneurysm, effectively blocking it off.
This operation not only saved her life, but helped her speedy recovery. Day by day, the headache improved significantly and now she is ready to be discharged.
To date, over 35 patients with serious and life-threatening problems have been treated at the Center.
Brain aneurysm imaging
Cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and treatment
Cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations are among the most serious and complex neurological conditions that can cause life-threatening cerebral hemorrhage and require specific treatment.
The new Center offers endovascular treatments, a less invasive method than traditional surgery that can often lead to a faster recovery.
“It involves a small incision, usually in the groin, and the use of small catheters that reach the brain through the body’s vessels. Here, doctors can treat the condition in a number of ways, such as coiling, stenting or using a special medical “glue”, explains Ms Politis.
“Neurovascular diseases such as aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations require a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. We combine expertise from various medical specialties – neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, intensive care – to offer comprehensive care to our patients, deciding on a case-by-case basis with the neurosurgical team of Prof. Mr. Strandzalis on invasive or surgical treatment,” notes the doctor.
The method of thrombectomy
In addition, the center has begun performing thrombectomies for acute strokes, a critical procedure in the treatment of this condition. Thrombectomy, the mechanical removal of clots from blood vessels, can significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from acute stroke by restoring blood flow to the brain.
This intervention is of the utmost importance, as it can drastically reduce the severity of the consequences of a stroke and improve the chances of recovery, highlighting the center’s role in providing pioneering treatments for neurovascular diseases.
The CNS Embolization Center is operated by a specialized interdisciplinary team with the Scientific Manager, interventional neuroradiologist Mrs. Maria Politi (Curator A, Department of Radiology, Director I. Kalogeropoulos) and the participation of interventional neuroradiologists, Mr. E. Archontakis, Director, Head of the Center of Embolizations of the Red Cross Hospital and Mr. P. Papanagiotou Associate Professor of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, EKPA.
The scientific collaboration includes Evangelical Clinics, in particular: the Neurosurgery Clinic (Director Prof. G. Strandzalis, Mr. X. Koutsarnakis, scientific associate specialized in brain aneurysm surgery), the Radiology Department (Director I. Kalogeropoulos), of the Department of Newer Imaging Methods (Director D. Exarchos), the Anesthesiology Clinic (Director K. Romanas), the Intensive Care Unit (Director Professor I. Dimopoulou) and the Neurological Clinic (Director E. Alexiou) .
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