In Austria, around 24,000 people suffer a stroke every year. The emergency doctor should be called as soon as the first suspicious symptoms appear. Only then can they be quickly instructed in a “stroke unit” – there are around 40 in Austria. There, the fastest possible examination using computer tomography etc. is on the agenda. In the case of an ischemic stroke with clot formation in the brain, thrombolytic therapy should be carried out as quickly as possible. For a long time, a time window of four and a half hours after the onset of symptoms was considered ideal.
The aim is to dissolve the thrombus in a brain vessel by administering substances such as rt-PA. This form of therapy, which originated in cardiology (heart attack), has revolutionized acute stroke treatment over the past 15 years because it can save lives and prevent permanent damage. However, the problem remains that patients come to the stroke units too late. Every time saving that can be achieved here helps those affected.
Internationally, very progressive initiatives are also moving in the direction of mobile stroke units: emergency vehicles equipped with computer tomographs. In addition, there is the possibility of acute laboratory examinations and a telemedical connection of the emergency vehicle to the specialists in the clinic. In this way, a diagnosis is implemented as early as possible. At the same time, thrombolytic therapy can begin practically at the point of use.
Source: Nachrichten
