New Supernova Stent Shows Promise for Stroke Treatment in India

A new advancement in stroke treatment was unveiled in New Delhi, where the Supernova Stent has shown significant promise for patients suffering from severe strokes. The device, developed by Gravity Medical Technology, has been deemed safe and effective following a clinical trial led by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. This groundbreaking study marks a pivotal moment for stroke care in India.

The GRASSROOT trial, which was coordinated by AIIMS Delhi, demonstrated high success rates in restoring blood flow to the brain. According to preliminary findings published in the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery (JNIS), the Supernova stent retriever achieved an impressive 96.9% success rate in restoring blood flow, with only a 3.1% incidence of brain bleeding and a 9.4% mortality rate. Additionally, 50% of patients reached functional independence within 90 days of the procedure.

Dr. Shailesh B. Gaikwad, Professor and Head of the Department of Neuroimaging & Interventional Neuroradiology at AIIMS Delhi, emphasized the significance of this trial, stating, “This trial is a turning point for stroke treatment in India.” The approval of the Supernova stent-retriever by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) earlier this year allows for its routine use within the country, reflecting a major step forward in advanced stroke care.

The GRASSROOT trial involved collaboration across eight medical centers, confirming the device’s efficacy in treating life-threatening strokes. Dr. Dileep Yavagal, a Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Miami, noted that the device has already been successfully used to treat over 300 patients in Southeast Asia. He further indicated that the Supernova Stent will be manufactured locally in India, making it accessible at affordable prices for the estimated 1.7 million Indians who experience strokes annually.

Experts believe that this development not only enhances medical capabilities but also aligns with the Make-in-India initiative. The introduction of the Supernova Stent positions India as a competitive player in the global arena of advanced medical technology. With strokes affecting a younger demographic in India compared to Western countries, the innovation of the Supernova Stent is expected to have a profound impact on treatment outcomes.

As the medical community and patients look forward to the benefits of this new technology, the successful results of the GRASSROOT trial signal hope for improved recovery rates and quality of life for stroke patients across India and beyond.