Lives could be saved with access to clot-buster device: expert

Expanding access to a revolutionary stroke treatment that has improved the quality of life of survivors would mean many more would be able to live independently again, a medical expert says.

Lives could be saved with access to clot-buster device: expert 1462148735353

Lives could be saved with access to clot-buster device: expert 1462148735353

The device, known as a "stent retriever", looks like a tiny chicken-wire cage.

And it has been shown to double a major stroke patient's chance of survival and increase their prospects of living independently again from 39 per cent to 72 per cent when combined with an existing clot-busting drug.

Presenting a Melbourne-led study on the device, Auckland stroke neurologist Alan Barber said it was "the most significant advance in stroke care in the last 20 years".

"It costs Australia billions. But for every five people you treat with clot retrieval, one more will go home able to function as an independent person, and there is one less person who is left severely dependent," Professor Barber said, speaking before he addressed the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists annual meeting in Auckland on Sunday.

But the technique is resource intensive and must be performed soon after the stroke. It requires specially trained radiologists, stroke doctors and anaesthetists to be ready to operate within six hours.

Professor Barber said that although Victoria is leading other states in use of the device,only the Royal Melbourne Hospital could perform the procedure around the clock, although Monash was expected to have the same capability by the end of the year.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/lives-could-be-saved-with-access-to-clotbuster-device-expert-20160501-goj7pj.html

Lives could be saved with access to clot-buster device: expert

Lives could be saved with access to clot-buster device: expert

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