KAUVERY HOSPITAL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ON STROKE

29 October 2018, Trichy: In conjunction with World Stroke Day on October 29th, Kauvery Hospital has launched a major campaign to promote awareness on the preventive measures and treatment options for Stroke.

Dr. Manivannan, Managing Director-Kauvery Hospital, in his statement, has said that creating this kind of campaign among the public will have a strong impact compared to any other awareness. The campaign titled ‘4 1⁄2’ is to remind people of the first few golden hours after a stroke, and the importance of seeking immediate treatment even for early signs of stroke.

“Warning signs of Stroke, like numbness in the face or arms, drooping of a face, or slurring of speech are usually neglected by people, and medical intervention is sought usually after the damage is done”, said Dr. Jos Jasper - Head, Brain & Spine Centre, at Kauvery Hospital. “It is of utmost importance for someone experiencing Stroke to seek emergency treatment. The sooner the treatment is received, the more chances that the person has of surviving and avoiding serious disability.”

Kauvery Hospital is the only hospital in Central Tamil Nadu which has a 24/7 center for hyperacute stroke management. The team which is available round the clock is manned by four Neurosurgeons, five Neurologists, and an Interventional Radiologist. It is the only hospital in the region to house two advanced Cath lab’s which have the capability to manage Stroke emergencies.

“Until a couple of years ago, intravenous rtPA was the only option available for patients with Stroke. But now, with the capability to perform a newer interventional technique like Mechanical Thrombectomy, in the Cath Lab, we can push the barriers for Therapeutic Stroke Management to almost 12 hours in almost all cases, and for selective cases to almost 24 hours”.

Mechanical Thrombectomy is the new gold standard in Acute Stroke Management as per the ASA 2018 (American Stroke Association), ESO (European Stroke Organisation) & even the Canadian Association. This facility is at present only in our hospital in the central Tamil Nadu region.

Physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol are leading causes of blood vessel damage causing Strokes. It is alarming to note that the rate of strokes in young people is increasing, and the condition has the capability to affect all ages. To spread awareness on this aspect, Stroke survivors shared their stories, with the youngest Stroke victim being only 8 years old.

The warning signs of stroke can be remembered by the acronym “FAST” Face weakness (one side)

Arm weakness (one side) Speech difficulty & Time – Golden hour.