Relatively speaking, hemorrhagic strokes are rare, yet their low (13%) occurrence results in nearly half (40%) of stroke-related deaths. Despite this poor outcome record, very little standardization of treatment protocols exists. The American Heart Association, in partnership with Stryker, is hoping to change this by promoting minimally invasive parafascicular surgery (MIPS).¹

MIPS begins with cutting-edge imaging and surgical planning technology, such as high-resolution brain mapping and exoscopic robotic visualization. Once these lay the surgical plan, MIPS allows surgical access to clots via a flexible tubular retractor which threads around the cerebral cortex’s gyri and sulci (the convolutions visible on the brain’s surface.) Simply, going around an organ—especially one as complex as the brain—is almost always better than cutting through it. Once circumnavigation to the clot has been achieved, the clot can be ablated. Of note, this technology shows great promise for accessing brain tumors once considered inoperable.⁴

In a 2020 retrospective study, MIPS was found to significantly increase the chances of favorable discharge status against a medical management group with surgery,² and last year, Pradilla, et al, demonstrated that, when performed within a day of hemorrhage occurrence, MIPS may lead to better 6 month prognosis.³

Transonic applauds the efforts of the AHA, because we have been working to improve the safety and efficacy of cerebrovascular surgery for decades. The flow data revealed by our Charbel Micro-Flowprobes^TM have been reported to prompt surgical revision in up to 1/3 of the cerebrovascular cases in which they are used. We continue to strive to improve surgeon’s tools and procedures, and we know that organizations like the AHA will do the same.

Thanks for Reading,

               Transonic Systems, Inc

                              The Measure of Better Results

References:

1. Surgical stroke initiative targets deadliest brain bleeds | American Heart Association
2. Minimally Invasive Parafascicular Surgery (MIPS) for Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Compared to Medical Management: A Case Series Comparison for a Single Institution - PMC
3. Trial of Early Minimally Invasive Removal of Intracerebral Hemorrhage | New England Journal of Medicine
4. Minimally Invasive Parafascicular Surgery - IMG