The Medical Center of Central Georgia Stroke Center

The Medical Center of Central Georgia Stroke Center

Background • A Stroke occurs if: ØIschemic: Blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted (e. g. a clot). ØHemorrhagic: A blood vessel in the brain bursts • Other names for a stroke: ØCVA ØTIA ØBrain Attack

Ischemic Stroke • Blood vessel becomes occluded and blood supply to part of the brain totally or partially blocked – Embolic: Blood clot forms somewhere in the body and travels through the bloodstream to your brain – Thrombotic: Blood flow is impaired because of a blockage to one or more of the arteries supplying blood to the brain • Account for 85 -90% of strokes

Hemorrhagic Stroke • Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or bleeds Intracerebral: – Bleeding occurs from vessels within the brain itself – High blood pressure is the primary cause Subarachnoid: – Aneurism burst near the membrane surrounding the brain – Causes the brain to be surrounded by blood contaminated fluid

Primary Stroke Mechanisms

U. S. Statistics • 750, 000 people suffer a stroke each year. • Stroke is 3 rd leading cause of death annually • Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability • 14% of people who have a stroke will have another within one year • 40, 000 more women than men have a stroke each year • Stroke care costs more than $52 billion annually

Stroke Death Rates per 100, 000, US Adults Ages 35+, 1991 -1998 Age-adjusted Average Annual Deaths per 100, 000 • Stroke mortality rates are 150% of the national average in the “Stroke Belt” (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina) CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Risk Factors Uncontrollable: • Increasing Age • Sex • Race • Family History

Risk Factors Controllable: • Diet • Exercise • High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Cigarette Smoking • High Blood Cholesterol • Obesity • Heart Disease

Symptoms of Stroke • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; especially on one side of the body • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden, severe headache – the worst ever experienced

Act F-A-S-T F = Face - ask the person to smile A = Arm - ask the person to raise both arms S = Speech - ask the person to say a simple sentence T = Time - Time is precious. Seek treatment ASAP CALL 9 -1 -1 The faster you act, the better the chances of recovery!

MCCG Stroke Center Goals 1. Provide World Class stroke care 2. Use evidence-based standards of care 3. Develop care network with regional hospitals. 4. Monitor & continually improve our performance & care 5. Educate our community about how to recognize & care for a stroke

Neurosurgical Services If the patient comes to MCCG within 5 -6 hours of their stroke… • We can use Intra-arterial TPA Ø This breaks up any clots (like Drain-o for a pipe) • We can use Biplane Interventions ØClot Buster ØMerci Retrieval • Pulls out a clot (picture at left)

Your Role In The Community • Know “Act FAST” -- ways to identify a stroke § Educate your family, friends & peers § Educate your community • If you teach others, be sure to let us know so you can get credit & thanks (478 -633 -1184).

Questions?