New Supernova Stent Shows Promise for Stroke Treatment in India

A recent clinical trial led by experts at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has highlighted the potential of a new device called the Supernova Stent for treating stroke patients. According to findings from the GRASSROOT trial, this advanced brain treatment device has demonstrated both safety and effectiveness in addressing severe strokes.

Dr. Shailesh B. Gaikwad, Professor and Head of the Department of Neuroimaging & Interventional Neuroradiology at AIIMS, serves as the National Principal Investigator for the trial. He described the study as a significant turning point for stroke treatment in India. The preliminary results, published in the esteemed Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery (JNIS), indicate that the Supernova stent has achieved excellent outcomes in terms of safety and efficacy.

The GRASSROOT trial marks the first prospective multicentre thrombectomy trial, focusing on the physical removal of blood clots from blocked arteries. The Supernova stent retriever successfully restored blood flow in a high percentage of cases, with a reported brain bleed rate of 3.1 percent and a mortality rate of 9.4 percent. Remarkably, the trial also noted that 50 percent of patients achieved functional independence within 90 days following treatment.

Developed by Gravity Medical Technology, the Supernova stent is tailored to meet the needs of India’s diverse population, where strokes tend to affect younger individuals compared to Western countries. Earlier this year, data from the GRASSROOT trial received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), paving the way for the stent’s routine use in India.

This major clinical trial was conducted across eight centres, affirming the device’s safety and efficacy in tackling life-threatening strokes. Experts believe that it represents a significant milestone for the Make-in-India initiative, positioning the country as a global player in advanced stroke care.

Dr. Dileep Yavagal, a Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Miami, who participated in the global trial, noted that the device has already been used to treat over 300 patients in Southeast Asia. The Supernova stent will now be manufactured in India and made available at affordable prices, providing new hope to the estimated 1.7 million Indians who suffer strokes each year.

The promising results of the GRASSROOT trial not only highlight advancements in medical technology but also underscore the importance of innovative solutions in addressing critical health challenges. As the Supernova stent becomes more widely available, it is anticipated to significantly impact stroke treatment in India and beyond.