Time is Brain: Why It’s Important to Get Treated for Stroke ASAP

Living WellTime is Brain: Why It’s Important to Get Treated for Stroke ASAPRequest an AppointmentApril 26, 2024By Cassie DrummKnowing the telltale signs of a stroke is critical to getting immediate medical attention. Read on to understand what happens during a stroke and lifesaving treatment options.Editor’s note: This article was updated from an earlier version posted in May 2022. If you or a loved one has ever had a stroke, you may be familiar with the phrase time is brain—meaning time is of the essence when treating a stroke. With each moment that a stroke goes untreated, the nervous tissue in the brain is rapidly and irreversibly damaged. That is why it’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know begins to experience stroke symptoms. Here, neurosurgeons Dr. Robert Rosenwasser and Dr. Stavropoula Tjoumakaris discuss what you need to know about why time is the most important treatment for stroke and how Jefferson Health is working to make it easier for stroke patients to be treated quickly. space-line What Happens During a Stroke If someone is having a stroke, it means there’s a lack of blood flow to the brain, which deprives brain cells of oxygen. For every minute that passes while someone is having a stroke, 1.9 million brain cells are lost. The longer that someone is suffering from a stroke, the greater their chance of disability or death. Dr. Robert RosenwasserNeurosurgeon"The sooner you get to us, the greater your chance of a normal recovery. If you’re unsure whether or not you’re having a stroke, it’s always safer to visit the hospital or call 911."When considering the signs and symptoms of stroke, BE FAST is most helpful in summarizing important clinical facts: B - Balance, any acute changes E - Eyes/vision F - Facial movement A - Arm strength   S - Speech T - Time is of the essence as these are signs of an acute stroke   Lifesaving Treatments for Stroke Patients About 87% of strokes are ischemic—caused by a blood clot in the artery that supplies blood to the brain. Thankfully, treatments exist to prevent further damage for patients who suffer from an ischemic stroke; however, these treatments must be given within an appropriate amount of time to be effective. The most common first line of defense for ischemic stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a blood clot-dissolving drug administered through an IV that can help patients when given within three hours of symptoms onset. If tPA doesn’t dissolve the blood clot, a neurosurgeon can resort to mechanical or endoscopic thrombectomy—a procedure to remove the blood clot through surgery. space-line Telemedicine at Participating Hospitals When it comes to stroke treatments, hospitals have been using telemedicine to communicate for over a decade. Dr. Stavropoula TjoumakarisNeurosurgeon"Telemedicine revolutionized the way we manage strokes. We’re able to connect to small hospitals who may not be designated stroke centers and help them administer lifesaving treatments to patients in a timely manner."When hospitals use a telemedicine service, like Jefferson’s JET, a neurologist or neurosurgeon can remotely evaluate stroke patients so they can get the care they need quickly—without wasting precious time traveling to a comprehensive stroke center. In a landmark study of tPA-eligible stroke patients who visited a hospital in a telemedicine stroke network, nearly 100% of them received tPA. “This means if you visit a hospital in a telemedicine stroke network, you are 100% likely to receive intravenous lifesaving medicine if you meet the criteria,” says Dr. Tjoumakaris. Jefferson’s Mobile Stroke Unit As another line of defense against strokes, Jefferson Health has introduced a mobile stroke unit—an emergency response vehicle designed to treat stroke patients. “The mobile stroke unit contains a CT scanner, along with specialized EMS personnel who have been trained in stroke management,” says Dr. Tjoumakaris. A specialized emergency medical technician in the mobile stroke unit, connecting with vascular neurosurgeon Dr. Pascal Jabbour through telemedicine.When the mobile stroke unit responds to a 911 call for stroke symptoms, the patient will be evaluated and scanned quickly to determine the best course of treatment. “If they’re eligible, patients can receive tPA within the ambulance and, if they meet surgical criteria, will be taken right to a comprehensive stroke center to be seen by a neurovascular specialist,” says Dr. Tjoumakaris. Jefferson’s Mobile Stroke UnitThe mobile stroke unit gives the Jefferson Health team the ability to evaluate patients and give them treatment before arriving at the emergency room—potentially saving millions of brain cells that otherwise would have been lost in transit. “If you think someone is having a stroke, every minute counts,” says Dr. Rosenwasser. [Main photo credit: FG Trade/E+ via Getty Images] space-line More about Stroke Care... When a stroke happens, you need fast, expert care. Our compassionate and expert neurologists, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation medicine specialists are here to support you through stroke prevention, treatment and recovery. Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Elkins ParkStroke CareThe most board-certified and dual-trained stroke specialists in the Delaware Valley dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, treating & researching strokeLearn moreNeuroscienceNeurologyOur neurologists are globally recognized for exceptional care and research of brain, spinal cord, nerve and muscle disorders.Learn moreJefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Elkins ParkStroke RehabilitationJefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation help stroke patients regain function with physical, occupational & speech therapy, specialized services & lifetime follow-up.Learn moreStrokeFrom the ExpertsPreventative HealthNeurologyStroke CareLiving WellStrokeHealthy YouPA Philadelphia CountyNeuroscienceThrombectomyNeurosurgery