Broadcast:
Advances in the Treatment of Intra-Cranial Aneurysm
Intracranial aneurysms represent a significant public health problem. In the case of a ruptured brain aneurysm, the emergent care for the cerebrovascular lesion itself, as well as the major complications caused by the rupture, represent a significant medical challenge for physicians, an outsized financial burden shouldered by the insurance payer, and a daunting personal trial for the patient and family members. In the past, fully two-thirds of those stricken with a ruptured aneurysm would suffer either death or disability. This webcast will discuss the medical advances that have begun to improve these historic rates.
Of course, the aneurysms that actually rupture attract the urgent attention, but unruptured aneurysms are relatively common and threaten health in far greater numbers. It is estimated that intracranial aneurysms are present in 1 out of 20 healthy adults (4%, based on magnetic resonance angiography studies from the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study), and studies have estimated that anywhere from 0.05% to 1.0% of small (i.e., <10 mm in diameter) aneurysms will eventually rupture. The larger the size of the aneurysm, the greater the chance of rupture. How to diagnose an unruptured aneurysm and how to tailor one's approach to its treatment are on-going puzzles that are also part of this great public health challenge.
Physicians interested in learning the latest advances in treatment of brain aneurysm and the effects of aneurysm rupture should view this webcast, which features leaders in the field from both Weill Cornell Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center, the campuses of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Issues surrounding the medical care of those with known unruptured aneurysms (watchful waiting? intervention?) will also be discussed.
Neurologic intervention to repair the ruptured aneurysm has advanced with the development of catheter-based therapies in which the aneurysm can be obliterated using endovascular coils, essentially a minimally invasive technique. Although the technique has been performed for a decade or so, innovations in device design have continued, and physicians at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital have played an important role in these advances.
In addition, there have been great strides made in addressing the host of complications that result from ruptured aneurysms, affecting not only the brain but many other organs as well, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. The massive injuries that occur to the body as a result of a ruptured aneurysm are often best addressed in increasingly sophisticated neurologic ICUs, whose design and capabilities will be discussed.
The webcast will be presented on November 29th at 7:00 PM EST. Participants will include Weill Cornell Medical Center's Philip Stieg, MD, Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at New York-Presbyterian Hospital; and Robert A. Solomon, MD, Chairman and Director of Service of the Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center. The webcast will be moderated by Matthew E. Fink, MD, Vice Chairman for Clinical Services and Chief of the Division of Stroke and Critical Care, Weill Cornell Medical Center.