Reversing Paralysis: Jorge's 'Stroke' of Luck -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: A stroke is like a “brain attack”; it occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 140,000 people in the US die each year from stroke. It is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. (Source: National Stroke Association, the Stroke Center.org)

TYPES:
• Ischemic Stroke
Blood clots are dangerous because they can block arteries and cut off blood flow, a process called ischemia. An ischemic stroke can occur in two ways: embolic and thrombotic strokes
• Embolic Stroke
A blood clot forms somewhere in the body (usually the heart) and travels through the bloodstream to your brain. Once in your brain, the clot will travel to a blood vessel small enough to block its passage. The clot lodges there, blocking the blood vessel and causing a stroke.
• Thrombotic Stroke
In the second type of blood-clot stroke, blood flow is impaired because of a blockage to one or more of the arteries supplying blood to the brain. The process leading to this blockage is known as thrombosis.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke
Strokes caused by the breakage or "blowout" of a blood vessel in the brain are called hemorrhagic strokes. (Source: National Stroke Association)

TREATMENT: Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), or alteplase, is a clot-buster drug that dissolves the blood clot causing the stroke. There is a narrow window of opportunity to use this drug, so the earlier that it is given, the better the result and the less potential for bleeding into the brain. Aspirin or anticoagulants like heparin are also used. Rehabilitation is also used to restore strength to the patient and get them used to their post-stroke lifestyle. (Source: MedicineNet.com)

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Solitaire™ FR Revascularization Device is a mechanical thrombectomy device combining the ability to restore blood flow, administer medical therapy, and retrieve clot in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke. It mechanically breaks up and removes the blood clot. It has optimal radial force for flowing through all clot types, stable recanalization for the adjunctive use of medical therapy, and optimal metal to tissue ratio for reliable clot retrieval. It has demonstrated effective clot removal in vessels sized 2 to 5.5 mm. (Source: Covidien) MORE
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