Wellstar is home to a new tool that is improving treatment for patients experiencing intra-cerebral hemorrhages, or bleeding strokes.
Wellstar Neuro Care has been on the cutting edge of minimally invasive procedures and surgeries for patients suffering with strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. This latest treatment offers minimally invasive surgery for a disease with devastating outcomes. The Artemis Neuro Evacuation Device uses a neuroendoscope — a small tube with a camera — that is inserted into the brain to reach the bleeding in areas of the brain that were previously unreachable by neurosurgeons. The clot is pulled out using the end of the tube, either with suction or a device that eats away at the clot.
Wellstar is a leader in this groundbreaking treatment — only a handful of health systems in the country offer it. Now, Wellstar patients can access this care close to home, which is especially crucial for brain bleeds — a condition that has been nearly impossible to treat in the past.
While 80% of strokes occur because a blood vessel in the brain or neck is clogged, these deep-in-the-brain, often fatal bleeding strokes can be difficult to access without damaging other parts of the brain. Often, these patients’ conditions are managed with therapies to keep the pressure in the head down. Bleeding strokes are dangerous as well — about 40% of people who experience one die within 30 days, and 75% are severely disabled, according to Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Zussman.
However, innovative technology like the FDA-approved Artemis system can improve those outcomes, and Wellstar is keeping that world-class care close to home. The tool has been used at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center and Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center.
“With the cutting-edge Artemis tool and new protocol for treating these difficult types of brain bleeds, we can be safe about the removal of these clots deep in the brain. It's a ‘finesse’ tool,” Dr. Zussman said. “We can access and remove the clot without damaging other parts of the brain, which can heal faster and better. It saves lives and saves quality of life.”
To learn more about stroke care at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/neurocare.
