At the Vascular Surgery Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (QKUK), carotid artery stenting was performed for the first time on Saturday.This achievement was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Vascular Surgery Clinic and Dr. Dimitrios Nikas from the University of Ioannina in Greece, as reported by KosovaPress. 

The director of the Vascular Surgery Clinic, Hajriz Rudari, explained how this intervention was carried out, calling this medical treatment a historic day for the citizens of Kosovo, as according to him, a new era of this process is beginning that has not been present in our country until now. 

“Today is a historic day for the state of Kosovo, as a new era of treatment is starting that has not been available in Kosovo until now. Today, we had three patients, all male, over the age of 70.

The first patient was a 72-year-old male with chronic diseases, which necessitated this method of intervention. The intervention lasted about two and a half hours, as the patient’s pathology was more complicated than we had expected, and it was successfully completed,” he said. 

Rudari spoke about the consequences for the patient had he not been treated today at QKUK, as reported by KosovaPress. 

“If the patient had not been treated, he could have suffered a stroke or even died; he could also have become paralyzed. This is a preventive treatment for the patient. Everything went according to plan, and the patient is doing well,” he emphasized. 

Dr. Dimitrios Nikas from the University of Ioannina in Greece, who participated in this intervention in Pristina, pointed out that carotid arteries and carotid stenosis are among the primary reasons for strokes. According to him, unfortunately, it is one of the reasons someone could suffer a major stroke.He stated that the intervention is performed by placing a stent within the arteries without the need for surgery. 

“Up to 1 in 20 strokes occur due to carotid stenosis. Until now, we have had this famous and validated procedure called endarterectomy, which was done surgically on the carotid artery and provided significant benefits for the patient. Nowadays, we have an alternative method called carotid stenting, which is performed by placing a stent inside the carotid arteries of patients without the need for surgery. Data shows that endarterectomy may be the best way to treat carotid stenosis, but in selected patients, carotid stenting can achieve the same results with similar benefits for our patients. It offers more comfort for the patient; he does not need surgery, can be on his feet the next day, and leave the hospital. He only needs some medications for, let’s say, 2-3 months,” he said, as reported by KosovaPress. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Lulëzim Vokrri stated that this intervention will be only the first step and the next phase for the development of vascular surgery at QKUK.

“I believe this will be the first step and the next step to develop vascular surgery in Kosovo,” emphasized Vokrri. 

Dr. Luan Jaha highlighted during this press conference that it is expected that soon other treatment procedures for arteries will begin, including those for the arteries of the extremities and the aorta. “It is an important day for Vascular Surgery in Kosovo because we are embarking on a new chapter in the treatment of vascular diseases… We expect to soon start with other procedures for other arteries in the extremities and in the aorta,” he said, as reported by KosovaPress. 

The director of the Vascular Surgery Clinic, Hajriz Rudari, further stated that the main factors for this disease are hypertension, diabetes, elevated lipids, advanced age, and genetics. 

Additionally, the project for these carotid artery stenting interventions has been supported by the Government of Kosovo, specifically the Ministry of Health through the World Bank, as reported by KosovaPress.