Stroke is a condition which results either when a blood vessel to the brain suddenly gets blocked or ruptures leading to paralysis. It is one of the leading causes of disability and death in India. By and large, it affects elderly people but recently it has become a common factor even in younger population.
The state-of-art technology practiced by Dr. Mathew Cherian and his team to treat strokes by extracting blood clots in affected patients has been deemed very successful. The technique utilises a digital subtraction brain Angiogram done in the Neurovascular Bi-Plane angiography suite which confirms the block spot. A miniature fishing net like a device through small tubes (micro-catheters) under specialised imaging guides to the site of the clot which can be extracted within a short while. Immediately, after the removal, the blood flow will be re-established in the affected areas aiding movement to the affected extremities.
Before the advent of this technology, most of the stroke survivors continue to live with permanent disabilities along with the high cost for ongoing long-term rehabilitation. Dr.Nalla.G.Palanisamy, Chairman, applauded the team for their well-timed response and for introducing the technology to save stroke victims.
The Mobile Stroke Unit - the most sophisticated Ambulance, which is ought to be installed shortly will be a huge break-through, he revealed. It is a mobile mini intensive care unit with an in-house CT scanner, Lab and Telemedicine facilities hence the treatment can be started right after ambulating the patient.
'Believe it or not, this is the first such unit to come into Asia and that KMCH aims to be the leader in stroke care in India' he averred proudly.