Evidence and research indicate that the mortality rate in the event of a stroke has improved. At one time, stroke was the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., but it has fallen to fourth place, according to recent data.
Stroke risk can be attributed to several factors. High blood pressure, high lipid levels, smoking and previous brain injury can all individually and together play a part in increased risk. But the control of all of these factors has improved thanks to the following medical care:
- keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control
- smoking cessation programs
- better monitoring of patients with previous brain injuries
- all-inclusive healthcare programs
A study released last month by the University of Pennsylvania found some interesting and alarming geographic and gender facts about stroke patients. In addition to finding that women are less likely to receive tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), they also receive somewhat inferior stroke care, compared to men.
Researchers put together a map with clusters of stroke "hotspots," which was presented April 30 at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting. By using the map, and by examining the differences around the country and between genders, the researchers hope to further improve stroke care by targeting the areas around the country and the patients who are more at risk.
Penn Medicine
In fact, progress in this area is on track with a study that began in 2010, the results of which were also reported last month in JAMA. It highlighted the importance of administering tPA quickly, (within the first 60 minutes) after arriving in the ER.
The study included more than 71,000 patients in more than 1,000 hospitals. The hospitals in the study reported that the average time it took to administer tPA to patients dropped from 74 minutes to 59 minutes.
Advancement in technology are also helping reduce the mortality rate of strokes.
In Berlin, researchers tested a unique ambulance called Stroke Emergency Mobile (STEMO), which is equipped with a CT scanner, a lab, a telemedicine connection and a specialized stroke team. The specialized team consisted of a neurologist, a radiology technician and a paramedic, enabling the team to administer treatment for a stroke on the way to the hospital.
This ambulance reduced the time to treatment by 25 minutes. Clinical outcome and cost effectiveness studies are underway, since the cost to equip one STEMO ambulance is approximately $1.4 million.
Another kind of technology, similar to airport security scanning, can assess brain scans to help "predict" strokes. Researchers have developed a software program that trained a computer to recognize and analyze patterns that represent signs in the brain that have the potential to bleed.
Considering that most patients would prefer fast, emergency treatment, using clot-dissolving methods and drugs for strokes, it appears that these treatments and technologies contribute to a program headed in the right direction to further reduce death due to a stroke.
