foodconsumer.org: Which is better at preventing stroke, Stenting or Surgery?

Which is better at preventing stroke, Stenting or Surgery?
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admin on 03/01/2010 01:30:00
 
A new study led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University suggests
that the stenting procedure is as effective and safe as surgery if not better
for preventing stroke in high risk patients.
The study of 2,502 patients in more than 100 U.S. and Canadian Hospitals showed
there was a slight difference between the two  procedures in the risk of stroke
and heart attack in the first fours weeks after the treatment.
However, Wayne Clark and colleagues, authors of the study, found during the
first 2.5 years after the treatment, the risk for stroke, heart attack and death
was found the same in both groups, 2 % vs 2.4 %, which was not statistically
significantly different.
The findings were presented on Sunday at the American Stroke Association's (ASA)
International Stroke Conference.
Not all studies are consistent.
One study presented at the same conference resulted in contradictory results.
Another recent study conducted by Robbs J.V. and colleagues from University of
KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa showed that patients who received carotid
endarterectomy were more likely to suffer disabling stroke, stroke and death.
The study published in the Nov-Dec 2009 issue of Cardiovascular Journal of
Africa involved 440 patients of whom 177 had carotid artery stenting and 263
endarterectomy between Jan 2005 and Dec 2008.
Like other studies, many factors including patients' health statuses, stents
used in the study and surgeons'  skills among other things may all affect the
study results.
In this South Africa study, doctors decided the treatment option for each
patient based on many medical parameters including internal carotid artery (ICA)
stenosis, intraluminal thrombus, ICA tortuosity, gross surface ulceration of
plaque and excessive calcification.
So there was some bias.
Clark said the European study came to a different conclusion because the
patients had severer health conditions, the stents used differed from those used
in the U.S. study and surgeons were not as skillful as those in the U.S. study.
The point is that it is very difficult to compare stenting with surgery to tell
which procedure is better than the other.
Luckily, stroke is not something that food consumers can't do to prevent.  Like
other cardiovascular problems, stroke can be prevented by following a healthy
lifestyle including a healthy diet.
Numerous studies have been conducted and evidence has emerged to suggest that
many foods or nutrients can help cut the risk including vitamin E, B3 niacin,
potassium, calcium, fiber, vitamin C and vegetables, and fish oils, vitamin D
sufficiency, and vegan diet among other things.
On the other hand, the (potential) risk factors for stroke include high salt
intake, fast food with high fat and high trans fat, radiation used in medical
diagnostics and treatment, certain dairy foods, smoking, certain bacterial
infections, anger, possibly cough medicine, high intake of folic acid,
anti-psychotic drugs, antidepressants, and painkillers.
An estimated 700,000 cases of stroke are recorded each year in the United States
and 150,000 people can't survive the cardiovascular event.
For your information, stroke symptoms according to webmd.com include sudden
numbness, paralysis, or weakness particularly on only one side of the body,
difficult walking or balancing, sudden vision changes, drooling or slurred
speech and problems speaking, understanding simple statements or feeling
confused and severe headache.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
By David Liu