Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel in the body and usually cannot be detected unless there is a rupture or leakage. About 33,000 North Americans suffer a rupture every year, leading to stroke with up to a 60 percent fatality rate and permanent disability in about 50 percent of survivors. Now, University of British Columbia researchers have developed a new technology for monitoring brain aneurysms — an approach that is potentially less invasive and more accurate than current methods, and one that may be simple enough for patients to use at home for frequent monitoring.
Brain aneurysms occur when the weak wall of an artery carrying blood to the brain begins to bulge and balloon out. If the artery ruptures, the hemorrhage can lead to stroke, brain damage or death. To create a plug that will prevent blood flow to the weak area of the artery, surgeons typically insert an “embolization” implant made of microscopic coils of platinum.
UBC researchers devised a monitoring technique that is compatible with existing coil-implantation tools and procedures. In the first study of its kind, the team proved that it is possible to use the platinum implant as an “antenna” to wirelessly detect blood levels and indicate implant failure.
Currently, the only way to check whether an embolization is still working is to expose patients to high-dose X-rays for a CT scan or angiography — an invasive procedure that involves catheters and injecting dyes to highlight brain arteries. Both methods preclude frequent patient checkups. Patients could potentially use this early detection method at home on a continual basis, researchers say.
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Also: A portable brain diagnostic system was developed to non-invasively detect brain abnormalities.
