Every minute counts
An acute stroke is a medical emergency. To quickly dissolve any clotting of the brain arteries (thrombolysis), diagnosis and treatment usually has to take place within three hours of the onset of symptoms.
This requires a smoothly functioning ‘Chain of Survival’ team - from the patient or relatives alerting the emergency services (by dialling the local emergency number) and the emergency services themselves to the neurologists at the hospital. The decision on whether it is appropriate to give the patient this highly effective treatment has to be made quickly. But even if thrombolysis is not an option for a stroke patient, prompt treatment and diagnostic measures by the Stroke Unit can still provide effective help. By quickly recognising and treating the causes of a stroke, beginning treatment with appropriate medication, and closely monitoring the patient, the Stroke Unit can mitigate the effects and prevent the occurrence of further strokes.
After a few days, a decision can already be made on whether to continue close monitoring, treat the patient on a regular ward, or quickly transfer them to rehab to start repairing the damage. They may also have early treatment of the causes of the stroke, such as enlargement of a partially-blocked carotid artery by the cardiological team at the Cardiovascular Centre.
For questions about strokes, please E-mail:
schlaganfall@segebergerkliniken.de
