McLaren Lapeer Region has received approval through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to perform carotid artery stenting services. Previously, McLaren Lapeer Region was able to screen patients to determine if stenting was necessary; the medical center can now treat those with carotid artery disease in the cath lab right here in Lapeer.
“The CMS approval offers high-risk patients the stenting procedure necessary for prolonged health,” said interventional cardiologist Dr. Majed Nounou, who practices at McLaren Lapeer Region. “We can now successfully treat patients with a technique that has been proven as safe and effective as carotid artery surgery.”
Carotid stenting is an endovascular treatment (done through or inside the blood vessels) for carotid artery disease, in which a permanent metal mesh stent is inserted to increase blood flow to a carotid artery previously clogged by plaque. Doctors typically insert a catheter through a small puncture in the arm and/or groin area to guide the stenting device into place. The result for patients is increased blood flow, which can prevent stroke.
“The carotid stenting procedure is minimally invasive and serves as an alternative to carotid surgery,” said Michael Sullivan, RCIS, catheterization laboratory manager at McLaren Lapeer Region. “To those who have been diagnosed with carotid artery disease, the stenting treatment may be recommended, based on the severity of the patient’s disease.”
According to the American Heart Association, about 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Every four minutes someone dies of stroke in the U.S., making it the fourth leading cause of death. The stenting procedure has been proven to reduce the number of strokes and alleviate the risk of complications caused by carotid artery disease. After treatment, carotid artery disease may be managed through changes to lifestyle and diet.