Time Is Brain: Urgency in Stroke Treatment

"TIME IS BRAIN"

Urgency is crucial in stroke treatment!

It is known that heart attacks increase in winter, but stroke, which is a brain attack, is equally dangerous and can be prevented with timely treatment.

Ischemic Stroke means a sudden loss of blood supply to a part of the brain due to a blood clot. About 85% of strokes are ischemic.

🚨 Recognize stroke with the 'FAST' method: • Face: drooping on one side • Arm: weakness in limbs • Speech: slurred or unclear speech • Time: don't waste time, go to the hospital immediately!

🏥 What is done immediately at the hospital? 1. CT Brain (Plain) to check for brain bleeding (hemorrhage) 2. Blood Sugar, ECG, Clotting Tests, Blood Pressure, Creatinine tests necessary for safe treatment

💉 Treatment: Tenecteplase (TNK‑tPA) •✅ Most commonly used drug in India today •✅ Easy to use – single IV bolus injection • Dose: 0.25 mg/kg IV bolus (maximum dose: 25 mg) • Time: must be given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset!

💊 Pre-filled Thrombolysis Kits (e.g., Genova‑tPA Kit / TNK Kit): • Dose is pre-prepared • Injection given at once, no IV infusion needed • Treatment is fast, simple, and given in minimal time!

💰 Cost: ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 (medicine + kit) → beneficial to avoid ICU stay, disability, and further expenses

⚠️ Who should not receive it? • Stroke older than 4.5 hours • Brain bleeding on CT • Extremely uncontrolled BP, active bleeding, or recent surgery

🎯 Benefits of early thrombolysis: • Less paralysis, possible recovery • Shorter hospital stay, prevents long-term disability • Saves life and improves quality of life

📣 Remember: Brain stroke is a Brain Attack, Just like timely stenting in heart attack, timely CT and thrombolysis in stroke save lives!

✅ Timely CT ✅ Timely TNK Injection ✅ Timely decision

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If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask below.

Dr Ravindra L. Kulkarni, MD, DNB, FSCAI (Cardiology) Just For Hearts