 |
|
|
|
NEUROVASCULAR TREATMENTS
Intra-arterial Catheter Directed Stroke Theraphy
|
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a major cause of disability. Strokes occur when an artery supplying part of the brain becomes blocked, and that part of the brain dies. They may also occur if a blood vessel ruptures and there is hemorrhage in the brain. In all cases, there is a sudden onset of weakness on one side of the body, and/or difficulty in speaking, seeing or walking, or a combination of these symptoms. There may also be loss of consciousness or headache. Common risk factors for stroke are hypertension and diabetes.
Until recently there was no treatment for acute stroke except secondary prevention and rehabilitation! Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) is a thrombolytic drug – also called a fibrinolytic or clot-dissolving drug – that can break up a clot that has blocked an artery. If the patient can reach the hospital fast enough, t-PA can help dissolve the blood clot quickly.
Delivering the t-PA through the arteries (intra-arterial) rather than an intravenous injection is a faster method for delivering the drug to the blockage. The neurovascular radiologist inserts a tiny, flexible catheter into an artery (usually in the groin area) and steers it up to the area of clot then administers the t-PA through the catheter.
The intra-arterial method of delivering t-PA to the clot can expand the safe window of time from stroke to treatment. Patients can get intravenous t-PA up to only three hours after a stroke starts, however with catheter directed intra-arterial t-PA patients can be successfully treated for up to six hours after the stroke begins, because the blood flow will begin almost immediately after t-PA is delivered to the site of blockage.
Key Advantages:
- Minimally invasive
- Faster results
- Doubles the time for treatment opportunity
- Reduces the possibility of intracranial hemorrhage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|