Emerging research opens the window of treatment for certain stroke patients
Nearly 800,000 Americans will suffer a stroke this year, making it one of the leading causes of long-term disability. Rapid treatment following onset of symptoms offers the best chance for better outcomes. Though it has long been accepted that there is just a narrow window of time for delivering treatment, new research suggests that this window may be wider for a specific population of stroke patients.
The recently published findings of the DAWN study, presented at Atlantic Neuroscience Institute’s 18th Annual Stroke Symposium, show that patients with “slow-growing” strokes may benefit from the surgical removal of a clot in the brain (thrombectomy) as much as 24 hours after the onset of symptoms.
“The study reveals that we have a 24-hour window to perform a thrombectomy with success in select patients, so screening is essential,” shared Andrew Demchuk, MD, director of the Calgary Stroke Program in Canada.
Added Ronald Benitez, MD, chief of endovascular neurosurgery for Overlook Medical Center and a fellow presenter at the symposium, “The DAWN trial validates the success of a clot-removing thrombectomy procedure involving the use of a safe stent device within this patient population, and confirms that we have a way to identify patients with an evolving major stroke and can successfully help break that cycle.” He noted, however, that earlier treatment is always better.