Every moment we are given is possible. However, every 40 seconds A person has a stroke, which may deprive this possibility. Every year, millions of Americans and their families are affected by this neurovascular event, which can lead to chronic disability and immeasurably stress the lives of those affected.
Every minute of the stroke, 1.9 million brain cells lost – It is important to seek treatment immediately. Time is brain cells, and the lag time in receiving treatment directly affects a person’s healthcare choices and how well their brain, arms, legs, speech or thinking can recover. acting”quicklyThe first signs of a stroke are a key part of treatment. While many people are familiar with acronyms that identify stroke symptoms — which stand for facial weakness, arm weakness, speech problems, and time to seek emergency help — they may not understand how stroke is associated with The important relationship between the time it takes to receive care.
Prevention and Stroke Treatment Options
stroke is Leading cause of death worldwide and consider estimating 140,000 deaths every year in the United States. However, even with these staggering numbers, up to 90 percent of strokes can be prevented.Many risk factors for stroke may be controlled Before they cause problems, they include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and medication.treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) or irregular heartbeat is also important because it is associated with Five-fold increased risk ischemic stroke. This is because an irregular heart rhythm can cause a blood clot to form, which can then travel to the brain and block blood flow, leading to a stroke.
As physicians, it’s important that we educate our patients and their caregivers about these ways to reduce stroke risk, as well as treatment options when a stroke occurs. Advances in stroke research over the past decade have led to innovative treatments, such as mechanical thrombectomy. Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure with positive benefits for ischemic stroke patients— 85% In all strokes – within the first few hours after the onset of a stroke. However, while mechanical thrombectomy has transformed the first-line treatment of stroke, it is often underutilized.
The key impact of mechanical thrombectomy
Mechanical thrombectomy can help improve a patient’s chance of surviving a stroke and recovering fully, More than half of mechanical thrombectomy patients regain functional independence.
During a mechanical thrombectomy, a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery in the groin and travels all the way through the artery to the neck and brain until it reaches the blood clot that causes the stroke. Then, a stent-like clot retriever is inserted through the catheter, deployed, and then “retrieved” or pulled back to remove the clot and reopen the blocked artery in the brain.
While mechanical thrombectomy can save lives, not all procedures are created equal.When the procedure achieves substantial or excellent restoration of blood flow to the brain from the first pass, patients experience The greatest advantage. A recent study on “Effects of first-pass success on mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke on health economics” – published in . Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery. It highlights the consequences of this first-pass effect (FPE), including:
- Reduces risk of vascular injury and irritation, reduces surgical complication rates, and shortens operative time
- Discharge time was significantly earlier, hospital stay was reduced from nearly 10 days to 6 days
- Potential cost savings per patient in the critical care phase of the hospital (starts at $6,575)
- Expect additional savings in the first year after a stroke (starts at $4,116) beyond hospitalization
Improved utilization of mechanical thrombectomy
Although mechanical thrombectomy is considered an excellent treatment option for ischemic stroke, it is severely underestimated as a first-line treatment for stroke. less than 20% of Americans have direct access to a center where the procedure can be performed.
Ideally, all stroke patients should be treated in a Level 1 Stroke Center, which provides a full range of neurovascular care with a team of skilled nursing staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, many patients are not sent to these centers because in many states the rules and protocols for triaging and transporting patients to facilities where complex strokes can be treated are outdated or non-existent.
A similar comparison is how trauma patients are classified and treated. In these cases, first responders evaluate the patient, and if the injury is serious, the patient is immediately taken to a level 1 trauma center rather than the nearest hospital. These specialty centers have highly trained teams that specialize in trauma, ensuring patients receive the appropriate level of care they need.
Stroke centers should use the same level of specialized triage and care. By standardizing shunting and transport protocols in the United States, the use of mechanical thrombectomy can be increased, which in turn can reduce stroke deaths and improve the quality of life of stroke survivors.advocacy organizations such as early strokehas been working to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of stroke center designation.
Don’t wait – every second counts
All members of the healthcare community—from healthcare professionals to patients to first responders—must work together to raise awareness of the importance of stroke prevention and prompt treatment. When people are empowered to take immediate action at the first signs of stroke, care teams can act quickly using the best technology. Don’t delay care, even in times of crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you or a loved one shows signs of a stroke, seek immediate help from emergency medical services. With stroke, time means brain cells, and every second counts. The sooner you receive life-saving treatments such as mechanical thrombectomy, the greater your chances of survival and the ability to return to a disability-free life.
Photo: Jolygon, Getty Images.
