Test of new device that protects brain during heart-valve procedure

In the first multicenter trial of its kind, researchers tested a new device that lowers the risk of stroke and cognitive decline in patients undergoing heart-valve replacement. "One of the major findings is, for the first time, we're showing that with protection, 55% more patients have completely clean brains -- with no ischemic brain lesions at all," said a researcher. Brain lesions increase risk of dementia and stroke two- to three-fold.

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