St. Francis Cardiologist Leads Long Island Arm of Landmark Study Showing Carotid Stents Are as Good as Surgery

Roslyn, New York – George Petrossian, M.D., a leading interventional cardiologist at St. Francis Hospital, knows firsthand about the value of using stents for treating carotid artery disease. Dr. Petrossian has treated more than 800 patients with stents to prevent strokes. But now, a newly released study confirms what the doctor has been saying all along, that stenting is as equally safe and effective as surgery.

“This is a huge step forward,” Dr. Petrossian told Newsday, after the results of the CREST study were released by the National Institutes of Health. The doctor led an eight-year investigation at St. Francis, the only hospital on Long Island to participate in the study. The analysis involved 30 local patients who had obstructed carotid arteries. The condition can block blood flow to the brain and ultimately lead to a stroke, much like clogged coronary arteries can trigger a heart attack.

According to findings, which involved more than 2,500 patients in the U. S. and Canada, stents not only offered patients a less invasive option, but also a quicker recovery. The wire mesh tubes are guided through the skin, into the aorta and to the carotid artery in the neck. They press the blockages of plaque against the walls of the artery, enabling blood to flow more freely.

Stroke affects 795,000 people annually. Dr. Petrossian hopes the latest findings will make carotid stenting a viable option for a larger population of patients being treated for stroke prevention.

Contact:
Paul Barry, 516-705-6657, paul.barry@chsli.org
Rosemary Gomez, 516-705-6656, rosemary.gomez@chsli.or