Cerebral Angioplasty & Stenting: Surgery, Procedure, Cost, Purpose, Side Effects, Risks, & Recovery
Cerebral angioplasty is a medical procedure that treats blocked or narrowed blood vessels in the brain. This minimally invasive procedure treats the carotid and vertebral arteries. This procedure tries to open the obstructed blood vessels to restore proper blood flow and prevent stroke or blood clot conditions. Cerebral angioplasty procedures in India provide a complication-free success rate of 90%.
During cerebral angioplasty, a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in the arm or leg, and a specialised balloon is used to widen the narrowed artery and restore blood flow. Sometimes, cerebral angioplasty is combined with cerebral angiography to provide detailed images of the brain’s blood vessels.
Symptoms of Cerebral Angioplasty
Cerebral angioplasty is needed when brain blood vessel blockages have caused symptoms like:
- Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or mini-strokes
- Stroke
- Vision problems
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Weakness or numbness
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Severe headaches
- Trouble walking or managing movements
- Memory problems
- Confusion or changes in mental status
Causes of Cerebral Angioplasty
The main causes that lead to the need for cerebral angioplasty are health problems that make blood vessels in the brain or neck narrow or block. Some common causes of cerebral angioplasty are:
- Atherosclerosis: It is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. This condition causes narrowing and reduced blood flow. It affects several parts of the body, apart from the brain.
- Carotid artery disease: This condition occurs when the carotid arteries in the neck become narrowed or blocked.
- Intracranial arterial stenosis: It is a condition that occurs when the arteries within the brain become narrow due to atherosclerosis or any other brain condition.
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): Cerebral angioplasty benefits people who have experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): These are abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain that interrupt normal blood flow.
- Moyamoya disease: It is a rare cerebrovascular disorder in which arteries at the base of the brain become blocked and narrowed.
- Head or neck trauma: The trauma can damage or narrow the blood vessels inside the brain.
- Vascular abnormalities: Some congenital abnormalities can cause narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain or neck.
- Blood clots: Blood clots within the cerebral arteries or veins can hinder blood flow.
Diagnosis of Cerebral Angioplasty
Various diagnostic methods are performed by the neurosurgeon to evaluate the condition of the blood vessels inside the brain. These diagnostic techniques are:
- Cerebral angiography: It is an imaging technique that injects a special dye into the blood vessels of the brain. This diagnostic technique visualises the structure of the blood vessels and detects any abnormalities, such as blockages, narrowing, or aneurysms.
- CT angiography (CTA): It is a non-invasive imaging method that uses X-rays and contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the brain. This diagnostic technique identifies any blockages, stenosis, atherosclerosis, or aneurysm conditions in the cerebral arteries.
- MRI angiography (MRA): It is a minimally invasive imaging method that uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the brain. This diagnostic technique identifies abnormalities such as aneurysms, stenosis, or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
- Doppler Ultrasound: This diagnostic technique uses sound waves to create images of blood flow in the arteries and veins. This procedure evaluates blood flow in the carotid and vertebral arteries.
- Neurological Examination: A comprehensive neurological examination is performed by the neurosurgeon to identify any symptoms, such as weakness, numbness, speech difficulties, or cognitive changes, to detect any neurological abnormalities.
Treatment Options for Cerebral Angioplasty
Cerebral angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that treats narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the brain. The main treatment options for cerebral angioplasty include:
- Angioplasty: This treatment procedure involves inserting a catheter with a balloon at its tip into a blood vessel in the arm or leg and targeting it at the site of the blockage in the brain or neck. The balloon is then inflated to widen the narrowed artery and restore proper blood flow.
- Stenting: A stent is placed during cerebral angioplasty to improve blood flow and keep the blood vessels open. This procedure uses a wire mesh tube to provide structural support and prevent re-narrowing of the vessel.
- Embolization: This treatment procedure is used to block off abnormal blood vessels or control bleeding by injecting special substances such as glue or coils through a catheter.
- Thrombectomy: This procedure removes the blood clot and restores blood flow to prevent any blockage in the brain. This process uses specialised tools to physically remove the clot from the blocked artery.
- Medication: Medications are prescribed by the neurosurgeons to manage conditions causing narrowed or blocked blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or blood clotting disorders.
Risks Associated with Cerebral Angioplasty
- Bleeding at the catheter insertion site
- Allergic reactions to contrast dye
- Blood vessel damage or dissection
- Brain damage
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Clogging of the inside of the stent
- Blood clots
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Infection
- Kidney damage (contrast-induced nephropathy)
- Neurological complications such as weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties
- Re-narrowing of the treated blood vessel (restenosis)
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia or medications used during the procedure
Cerebral Angioplasty Cost in India
Cerebral angioplasty costs in India depend on several factors. The cost ranges from $4000 to $5500. The cost of cerebral angioplasty in India includes a hospital stay of 2 days for recovery. The final cost depends on the patient’s diagnosis and the hospital chosen.
Cerebral Angioplasty Success Rate in India
Cerebral angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment for certain neurological conditions. The success rate for cerebral angioplasty in India is around 99%. This high success rate is due to the availability of advanced technology and highly skilled doctors. Cerebral angioplasty is a life-saving treatment option for patients suffering from conditions such as stroke, aneurysms, and arterial stenosis.
Top Hospitals for Cerebral Angioplasty in India
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai
- BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi
- Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon
Best Doctors for Cerebral Angioplasty in India
- Aditya Gupta – Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
- Mohit Bhatt – Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Rajiv Anand – BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi
- Praveen Gupta – Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
- Puneet Agarwal – Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
- Atma Ram Bansal – Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon
- Abhaya Kumar – Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Dinesh Nayak – Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai
- Mukul Varma – Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Sandeep Vaishya – Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon