Apollo Speciality Hospitals Vanagaram Saves a Young patient by performing Three Complicated Procedures

• Post-Acute Care Integrated Stoke Rehabilitation Centre & Stroke Support Group Launched 

Chennai 1st December 2020: Apollo Speciality Hospitals – Vanagaram, a part of Apollo Hospitals Group one of Asia’s largest and most trusted multi-specialty chain of hospitals has performed three multi-disciplinary complicated procedures on a 35-year-old patient, who had an Ischemic stroke. 

(L to R) Dr. P.R Prabash Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Specialty Hospital, Vanagaram, Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh, Senior Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals,  Mr. Ramkumar(Patient) , Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, Mr.Deepak kumar(Patient), Dr.Swatee Halbe, Interventional Radiologist, Apollo Specialty Hospital, Vanagaram

Mr. Ramkumar, from Chennai was brought to Apollo Hospitals Vanagaram with a sudden inability to use his left arm and leg and with symptoms of facial paralysis. He was brought into the hospital in a drowsy condition and was only able to respond to doctor’s queries feebly. He had a vision loss in his left eye and also his eye was deviated to right side. 

The patient showed every possible symptom for stroke, Dr. P.R. Prabash, Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Specialty Hospital, Vanagaram diagnosed the patient with stroke (with NIHSS)  scale of 18.Urgent MRI (DWI)screening revealed a large infarct in the right middle cerebral artery territory. The blood supply to the large part of the right side brain had reduced due to a clot in the major blood vessel supplying blood to that part of the brain. MR ASPECT score was very low (2), indicating poor outcome. After informed consent, Thrombolysis (Injecting a clot bursting medication through his veins) was planned immediately.

Based on the patient’s condition Dr. Swatee Halbe, Interventional Radiologist, was called in.  After team discussion, it was decided to do bridging procedure- ie- Thrombolysis followed by Mechanical thrombectomy (passing a wire through his artery, reaching the location of the clot and mechanically remove it out). The patient underwent Thrombolysis followed by Mechanical Thrombectomy and the clot was removed and the blood vessel was revascularised. He was shifted back to ICU and was connected to ventilator support.

On repeating the CT scan there was a swelling in the right side brain which was about to compress and damage the left side brain. On Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh. Senior Neurosurgeon, recommendation the swelling was treated initially with medications, but since the pressure was rising, it was decided to proceed with emergency decompressive craniectomy, which is removing one part of the skull to release the pressure that built up inside the cranium. Post procedure he was shifted back to ICU and mechanical ventilation was continued. Patient gradually started to improve and has been discharged. He is now undergoing Neuro Rehabilitation and is communicating well and is able to walk with minimal support.

Speaking during the press meet, Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The Apollo Institute of Neurosciences provides state-of-the art neuro care in the country. The treatment delivered at our hospitals are in-par with any leading healthcare institutions in the world. All our comprehensive stroke centers are equipped with 24X7 stroke team along with high-precision CT, MRI facilities with the capability of performing specialized surgical and interventional procedures in no time.”

She also added, “We had recently launched AI technology-enabled advanced stroke management,  the AI platform uses artificial intelligence to create high quality, advanced images from non-contrast CT, CT angiography, CT perfusion, and MRI diffusion and perfusion scans, helping hospitals to improve time-critical triage or transfer decisions and facilitate better patient outcomes. The stroke team will be able to remotely access the brain scans of stroke patients with the AI analysis on the mobile app or email for faster decision making without losing time.”

Apollo speciality hospitals, Vanagaram, Chennai is a comprehensive stroke care centre. The Stroke unit was launched 4 years ago. Not surprisingly, we are learning from literature as well as from our own rich experience that organized stroke unit care is consistently associated with better outcomes. Having done exemplary work over past 4 years with good results - as a natural progression, launching inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation centre - Apollo  “Post-Acute Care” Integrated Stroke Rehabilitation Centre.

Newer avancements including thrombolysis, thrombectomy, timely decompressive craniectomy and improving awareness about stroke leading to faster “onset to needle time” - mean people are surviving strokes that would have killed them in the past. There is no doubt that, more people are surviving stroke than did in the past. Unfortunately, many of those who survive a stroke experience chronic deficits that affect their quality of life, mobility, and independence. 

Speaking during the press meet Dr.Siddhartha Ghosh said “Awareness in the community, prompt diagnosis, acute management (including thrombolysis, thrombectomy, timely decompressive craniectomy, and airway management), post-Acute care rehabilitation are the cornerstones in achieving good results in stroke management”

Dr.P.R.Prabash said “The thrombectomy window period has been extended to 24 hours (in selected patients), so reaching hospital as early as possible is the key. To take this important message to the masses, Apollo hospitals Vanagaram is conducting a four day awareness road rally from Chennai to Kanyakumari dotted with awareness talks in all major towns enroute, on second week of December 2020. Other important message is - Post stroke Rehabilitation measures are a necessity, not a luxury”. 

Post stroke rehabilitation is a very important phase for a patient’s complete recovery. The long-term goal of rehabilitation is to help improve the stroke survivor's physical and cognitive functions, to relearn the skills they have lost, and to ultimately improve their overall quality of life so that they can become as independent as possible. Apollo Post-Acute Care Integrated Stoke Rehabilitation Centre & Stroke Support Group was launched today by the stroke hero- Mr. Ramkumar. 

Stroke support groups are one way for stroke survivors and caregivers to receive beneficial psychological and social support after a stroke, and are unique because the shared experiences enable peers to understand others and allow them to provide and receive relevant emotional, affirmational, and informational support. Also, for stroke survivors, providing support for peers has been shown to be beneficial because those providing support enjoy it, feel a sense of personal growth from providing it, and feel they are making a difference in someone else’s life.

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