Could surgery help stroke victims?
Advances in brain imaging are helping doctors better treat patients who have a stroke.
Ischemic strokes are the most common types of strokes. They are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain.
Strokes are a medical emergency. When blood can’t deliver nutrients and oxygen, the brain tissue in the area begins to die. Doctors must restore blood flow to the brain as fast as possible to lessen the damage.
Certain drugs, surgery, and other methods can restore blood flow. Surgery to remove a blockage, called a thrombectomy, was approved for up to six hours after a stroke. A research team tested whether it could help for up to 16 hours after a stroke.
Using a brain imaging technology called perfusion imaging, they identified 182 patients who might benefit from clot-removing surgery between 6 and 16 hours after a stroke. About half the patients were randomly chosen to have clot-removing surgery. The other half had the standard medical treatment.
Patients who had the surgery were less likely to die, a they were also likely to be more independent after their recovery.
If someone you know has recently had a stroke and may need help with recovery, home health can often be a good choice. Skilled nursing and physical therapy are often needed after undergoing surgery or suffering a stroke.
Sunshine Home Care is a home health care agency based in Altus, Oklahoma. For more information, please contact us or call 877-477-2014.
