DMCH experts share insights on stroke management

Every year the World Stroke Day is observed on October 29 to raise awareness about prevention and treatment of stroke. This year’s theme for the day was ‘A call to Act BEFAST to Save Lives’.

With advancements in healthcare, the average life expectancy has surpassed 70 years, alongside diabetes and heart disease, stroke is emerging as a new-age epidemic, a doctor said.

Dr Gagandeep Singh, professor and Head Department of Neurology, DMCH, highlighted the two types of strokes — ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes, caused by a clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain, account for about 85 per cent of cases. Once viewed as predominantly debilitating, with permanent paralysis as a common outcome, stroke treatment has seen remarkable breakthrough over the last decade.

Over the past year, DMC Ludhiana has successfully performed more than 120 neuro-interventional cases, including 23 mechanical thrombectomies and 25 stentings. A notable case involved a 42-year-old from Jalandhar who, after experiencing complete paralysis on one side, regained full mobility just two days post-procedure, he said.

Dr Dhanajay Gupta, assistant professor, Department of Neurology, DMCH, said timing treatment was crucial in stroke management.