Nearly 90 percent of the 700,000 strokes that affect U.S. patients each year are caused by a blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain, known as ischemic stroke. A newly released study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, the official journal of The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), provides solid evidence of the effectiveness of catheter-based treatment (CBT) to remove blood clots in stroke patients. CBTs, which include stents and thrombectomy, appears to be used for ischemic stroke patients who arrive too late or have contraindications for intravenous thrombolysis, a drug therapy frequently used to break down blood clots.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the most common cause of adult disability. To be effective, intravenous thrombolysis must be administered less than three hours after the onset of stroke symptoms. Unfortunately, and despite efforts to educate the public on the warning signs of stroke and the need to seek therapy quickly, most patients arrive at the emergency room too late. It is estimated that less than 5 percent of patients are eligible for this therapy which has prompted interest in alternative therapies, like CBT, that restore blood flow.

CBT applies the same therapy model for identifying a blocked artery causing a heart attack to stroke treatment. It allows the doctor to tailor the therapy based on the location and characteristics of the blockage. "We believe the individualized therapy that can be offered with this approach optimizes patient outcomes and minimizes risk," says Dr. Christopher J. White, co-author of the study.

Scientists from the Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans examined 26 patients who underwent CBT and were not eligible for intravenous thrombolysis. Patients were tested for neurologic disability at 90 days, improvement in the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The results showed that 89 percent (23/26) of the patients were successfully treated with CBT. At follow-up, half the patients had slight or no neurologic disability and 18 significantly improved their NIHSS score.

The study notes that CBT has been utilized in other trials up to eight hours after stroke onset, which is a significant advantage over intravenous thrombolysis. Eventhough treating acute stroke is not without risks, with limited options for patients ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, the authors encourage aggressive therapy to minimize damage to the brain and long-term disability.


Posted by: Emily    Source

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