2023-10-18 15:44:00
If the diagnosis is already clear in the ambulance, the patient can be referred directly to the appropriate hospital, saving valuable time (Amsterdam UMC)
And new report prepared by the Neurology Commission of the World Stroke Organization and The Lancet magazine warned that by 2050, cases of stroke or cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) will increase by 50%, and deaths will reach 9.7 million.
These people usually suffer ischemic stroke, the most common stroke. This occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, causing a part of this organ to receive insufficient or no blood. “Blood vessels become blocked or narrowed due to the buildup of fatty deposits or blood clots and lodge in the blood vessels of the brain,” explains the Mayo Clinic. On the other hand, there is “hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or breaks,” describes the same institution.
“Stroke is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications,” warns the Mayo Clinic.
Having this information quickly is essential, because if it is a small ischemic stroke, the patient can immediately receive an anticoagulant; while, in the event of a major problem, it must be operated on in the hospital. Making that decision, for example, when transferring by ambulance, can help you make the best decision urgently and thus save your life.
Stroke is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and disability
The good news is that a group of researchers has created a special brain wave cap that can diagnose a large stroke on the way to the hospital, allowing the patient to receive the right treatment more quickly. Jonathan Coutinho, a neurologist at the Catholic University of Amsterdam (UMC), is one of the inventors and said: “Our research shows that the brain wave cap can recognize patients with ischemic stroke with high accuracy. “This is very good news, because the cap can save lives by directing these patients directly to the right hospital.” The research was published in the journal Neurology.
The neurologist Jonathan Coutinho, the medical technician Wouter Potters and the professor of Radiology Henk Marquering, all from the UMC in Amsterdam, invented the brain wave cap, which allows an EEG (electroencephalography) to be performed in the ambulance.
This brain wave test shows whether an ischemic stroke exists and whether the blocked blood vessel in the brain is large or small.
In the case of a stroke, “time is the brain, literally,” said Coutinho. “The sooner we start the appropriate treatment, the better the results will be. If the diagnosis is already clear in the ambulance, the patient can be referred directly to the appropriate hospital, which saves valuable time,” said the researcher.
A new report warns that, by 2050, cases of stroke will increase by 50%, and deaths will reach 9.7 million
Between 2018 and 2022, the brainwave smart cap was tested in twelve Dutch ambulances and data was collected from almost 400 patients. The study shows that the brain wave cap can very accurately recognize patients with a large ischemic stroke. “This study shows that the brain wave cap works well in an ambulance environment. For example, with the measurements of the cap, we can distinguish between a large or small ischemic stroke,” Coutinho added.
To turn the brainwave cap into a product and bring it to market, TrianecT, a spin-off company from UMC Amsterdam, was founded in 2022. Additionally, a follow-up study (AI-STROKE) is currently underway in which even more measurements are collected to develop an algorithm for better recognition of a large ischemic stroke in the ambulance.
A sudden, severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, may indicate that you are having a stroke. Do not wait for it to pass and consult a doctor immediately
Until technology helps us with all of these issues, the Mayo Clinic recommends seeking medical attention immediately if you notice any signs or symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go, or disappear completely. Act immediately when faced with these symptoms:
– Expensive. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of your face droop?
– Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does an arm tend to fall? Or can’t lift one arm?
– Speaks. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does he slur his words or speak strangely?
– Time. If you see any of these signs, call 911 or an emergency medical service immediately.
“Do not wait to see if the symptoms disappear. Every minute counts. The longer it takes to treat a stroke, the greater the chances of brain damage and disability,” concludes the Mayo Clinic.
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