Beverly Aagaard Kienitz Helps Patients Suffering from Strokes

UW Health featured Beverly Aagaard Kienitz, MD in two stories related to patients suffering from strokes.

Patient Remains Stroke-Free for 15 Years Due to WASEDS Procedure

In 2009, Dr. Aagaard Kienitz and Bermans Iskandar, MD developed the wide arterial sparing encephalo-duro-synangiosis (WASEDS) procedure, which has kept their very first patient, Danielle, stroke-free for 15 years.

Dr. Aagaard Kienitz and Dr. Iskander developed the procedure as a treatment for Moyamoya disease after existing treatment did not work to stop Danielle’s strokes. Moyamoya disease is characterized by a narrowing or blocking of arteries at the base of the brain, which prevents blood flow.

The WASEDS procedure began with a highly detailed map of the patient’s brain, created by Dr. Aagaard Kienitz’s angiographic images. Once the map was complete, Dr. Iskander performed the surgery, creating a series of incisions in Danielle’s brain to encourage blood vessel growth.

The results of the surgery were everything that Danielle and her family had hoped for – her strokes stopped. Since the first surgery, Dr. Aagaard Kienitz and Dr. Iskander have performed 14 WASEDS procedures, all with the same results.

Emergency Surgery Saves Patient from Deadly Type of Stroke

Andy Bock of Cross Plains, Wisconsin worked on his daily crossword puzzle when he experienced a life-threatening stroke caused by an artery clot in his brain stem.

As Andy and his wife, Kathy, rushed to University Hospital, Dr. Aagaard Kienitz assembled her team consisting of a neuroendovascular surgery fellow, an anesthesiologist, an anesthesiology assistant, an interventional technologist and a nurse.

Being on blood-thinning medication for atrial fibrillation meant Andy could not be treated with intravenous clot-busting drugs. Instead, the team would need to perform an advanced surgical procedure to “fish out” the clot through use of micro-thin catheters.

“Less than one of every 100 stroke patients we see comes to us with a basilar artery stroke like Andy’s,” she said. “The brain stem, where his clot was found, is the highest-priced real estate in the brain. It controls breathing, body movement and almost everything we associate with quality of life.”

Fortunately, the procedure was a success.

“It’s a miracle that I came through this with no residual effects,” Andy said. “It’s because of Kathy, the EMS team, the Emergency Department, Dr. Aagaard Kienitz and her team, and God’s guidance. There are no words to fully express my appreciation.”

Andy Bock and his wife, Kathy.