For Many Strokes, There’s an Effective Treatment. Why Aren’t Some Doctors Offering It? by GINA KOLATA As many as 30 percent of stroke patients do not receive a clot-busting drug because a vocal minority of physicians believe it to be dangerous.
Full Answer
Can doctors treat strokes?
To treat an ischemic stroke, doctors must quickly restore blood flow to the brain. This may be done with: Emergency IV medication. Therapy with drugs that can break up a clot has to be given within 4.5 hours from when symptoms first started if given intravenously.
What is the best doctor to see after a stroke?
A vascular neurologist specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing conditions of cerebrovascular disease, which are conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord. Stroke is the most common cerebrovascular disease – hence the “stroke doctor” nickname.
What is the best treatment for a stroke victim not in hospital?
Note the time you first see symptoms A clot-busting medication called tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, can be given to someone if they're having a stroke, potentially reversing or stopping symptoms from developing.
Why is tPA controversial?
Those who oppose the use of TPA say the drug is more dangerous than the stroke and can cause brain hemorrhages. Additionally, the skeptics said the research from that trial Lewandowski led is “deeply flawed,” the Times reported.
What does a neurologist do for stroke patients?
These physicians know the symptoms and signs found in stroke patients and the detailed differential diagnosis of stroke subtypes. They are very familiar with the symptoms, signs, and diagnosis of other neurological disorders. They are knowledgeable about stroke recovery and rehabilitation.
How does a neurologist help with a stroke?
Because neurologists are specially trained to understand brain function and anatomy, as well as different types of strokes, they can help you understand what caused your stroke and develop steps to reduce the risk of a future stroke.
What is considered a massive stroke?
Medical experts often use the NIH Stroke Scale to determine the severity of a stroke. Patients that score between 21 and 42 (the highest possible score) are considered to have suffered a massive stroke.
Can brain repair itself after stroke?
Research shows that the brain possesses an extraordinary ability to heal itself after stroke. This ability, known as neuroplasticity, is why many stroke survivors go on to make astonishing recoveries. However, this healing process cannot happen on its own.
What is the time frame for stroke treatment?
For many patients, the blood clot can be treated with clot-dissolving medications like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or tenecteplase (TNK). The medication needs to be given within 3 hours of having a stroke, or for some eligible patients, up to 4 ½ hours after the onset of a stroke.
How effective is tPA for stroke?
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was proven useful for acute stroke therapy in 19953 and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1996. It increases recovery from stroke symptoms by up to 50%3 with a low serious complication rate. However, only 3% to 8.5% of potentially eligible patients receive tPA.