Post by Advocate Health Care

Debbie says she feels better than she has in years. More than that, she believes she’s been given a second chance. At Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Debbie became the first patient to receive a carotid artery stent through her wrist, an approach that offers a less invasive alternative to the traditional method through the leg. The procedure is used to treat blockages in the carotid artery and reduce the risk of stroke. For Debbie, that risk hits close to home. “My dad died of a stroke when he was only 55, and I feel like I’ve avoided that same fate,” she said. “He didn’t have the kind of doctors I do to help him through this.” After previously undergoing carotid surgery to remove a blockage, Debbie needed another solution. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Chad Morreale and the team at Sherman considered placing the stent through Debbie’s femoral artery in her groin but determined that a carotid stent placed through the radial artery in her wrist was the best option. “It’s about giving the right patient the right therapy,” said Dr. Morreale. “From the start, we knew Debbie needed a carotid stent to reduce her stroke risk. The radial approach offered a safe, straightforward path, and our team was able to use its expertise to deliver the care she needed.” Today, Debbie is back to life as normal, spending time with her family and riding her motorcycle. Learn more about the Advocate Heart Institute at Sherman: https://bit.ly/4ogcnrz