Invisible enemies of our vessels
The Department of X-ray Surgical Methods of Research of the Nizhnekamsk Central District Multifunctional Hospital, which is headed by an experienced doctor of X-ray endovascular methods of diagnosis and treatment Alexey Krokhalev, annually operates on hundreds of patients suffering from atherosclerosis of the vessels of the neck and legs. Atherosclerotic plaques are one of the particular problems that people suffer from in modern society. Unhealthy nutrition, bad habits, stress and much more leads to the occlusion of blood vessels, which can lead to the serious consequences. Alexey Nikolaevich said that timely detection of plaques and intravascular surgery provides almost 100% guarantee that a person will avoid an ischemic stroke and will continue to live a full life.
"Atherosclerotic plaques occur in different places - in the vessels of the legs, in the vessels of the neck. In both cases, it is possible to carry out endovascular treatment, that is, stenting, or balloon angioplasty, - says Alexey Krokhalev.
- Before stenting, we first perform angiography, inject a contrast agent into the vessel and detect the degree of narrowing of the lumen of a particular artery. Stent insertion is the prevention of acute ischemic strokes. It is proved that after stenting of the arteries, the number of acute ischemic disorders in the future significantly decreases. We have had patients with critical narrowing of the carotid arteries on both sides. Clinically, this was manifested in the form of memory impairment, short-term loss of consciousness, headaches, noise in the head and ears, while no direct stroke disorders were observed in patients. Any doctor understands that if you do not perform stenting, it will inevitably lead to a stroke and even death. After such an operation, neurological symptoms disappear in patients after a day.
How to identify atherosclerotic plaques?
"Checkups work very well in this direction. Patients here are identified at an early stage. A general blood test will show a change in cholesterol, a change in total lipid metabolism. During such examinations, a lot of work is being done to identify patients who are at risk for stroke. Our hospital has a well-organized collaboration with vascular surgeons, and we collectively discuss patient recordings and plan their treatment. An important role in this chain is played by ultrasound – the primary screening examination, which, in fact, reveals the plaque. Next, the patient goes to the vascular surgeon, the doctor takes it under his control, directs the patient to me for angiography. And then, together with vascular surgeons, we discuss treatment tactics."
About prevention.
"I believe that people should know the enemy and understand that atherosclerosis is treated today thanks to high-tech operations in our city. Now there are "Schools of Health", other ways to convey information to patients, all this is important and necessary. After all, how competently and responsibly a person treat his health will depend on his future life. Be healthy!" - summed up Alexey Krokhalev.