Medicine: Bypass for the Brain

Delicate microsurgery may prevent strokes

With advancing age, as the arteries leading to the brain become more and more clogged by fatty deposits, the chances grow that a clot may form in one of the narrowed passages, cutting off the flow of blood to a region of the brain. The result may be a stroke, which could lead to loss of memory or speech, paralysis, and even death. For this type of patient, few treatments are available, though doctors sometimes prescribe anticoagulants to lessen the chance of clotting. Yet, since 1967, teams of skilled...

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