The National Library of Medicine (NLM) states that stroke causes the second most amount of deaths globally and often leads to disability, which brings about substantial economic burdens, but in many instances, it is treatable and preventable. Due to the significant health and financial consequences of this serious medical condition, it is imperative to boost the available treatment options and improve the experience of stroke patients in clinical and care environments. Learn how Erin Marshall has advocated for decades to improve acute stroke treatment and enhance patient outcomes, and find out how a knowledgeable New Mexico personal injury attorney can assist individuals with their legal claims; call Erin Marshall Law today at (505) 218-9949 to schedule a consultation.
What Is Acute Stroke?
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a stroke refers to a medical condition where the brain loses blood supply as a result of a blockage or burst blood vessel. In both of these situations, brain cells suffer damage or die, resulting in long-term brain damage, disability, or death. The two main stroke types are an ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke; a less severe stroke called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) takes place when the brain loses blood flow for a short period, typically 5 minutes or less.
An ischemic stroke refers to a stroke that transpires due to a blocked blood vessel and is the most common, and these blockages typically arise because of blood clots or alternative particles obstructing blood supply; for instance, fatty deposit build-ups, known as plaque, can block blood vessels. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when brain arteries leak or rupture, which places increased pressure on brain segments, causing damage. These strokes usually happen when a person experiences an aneurysm, which is when blood swells in the artery before stretching and bursting, or high blood pressure.
What Are the Treatments for Acute Stroke?
The treatments for stroke vary depending on the type of stroke suffered. Below is an explanation of these different kinds of treatments.
Ischemic Stroke Treatments
Treating ischemic strokes entails restoring blood supply to the brain as quickly as possible. The following methods can help achieve this.
IV Medicine
These medicines typically comprise an injection into a vein of a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). They can disintegrate blood clots, which can improve the chances of survival and avoid long-term health complications, provided administration takes place promptly (ideally no longer than 4.5 hours after symptoms start and preferably under three hours).
Endovascular Procedures
Endovascular medical procedures involve the direct removal of obstructions in blood vessels and require prompt delivery, and they include inserting a catheter into the brain through a groin artery to administer TPA. Another example is utilizing stent retrievers attached to catheters to remove large blood clots, often performed at the same time as administering TPA.
Carotid Endarterectomy
The carotid arteries run along the neck, supplying blood to the brain. This surgery entails removing plaque blocking these arteries to lower the chances of suffering an ischemic stroke.
Stents and Angioplasty
Another option for expanding narrowed arteries blocked with plaque involves inserting a catheter into a carotid artery via the groin, inflating a balloon to enlarge the artery, and installing a stent to support this expansion. Find out more about how Erin Marshall Law has advocated to enhance acute stroke treatment and improve patient outcomes, and consider reaching out to a seasoned New Mexico personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one has suffered a stroke due to negligence. Contact our firm today to discuss your legal issue.
Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatments
By contrast, treating hemorrhagic strokes involves reducing pressure exerted on the brain and stemming internal bleeding. These treatments include the following.
Emergency Procedures
Relevant treatments include medicines for counteracting the effects of blood thinners for those taking these medications; these treatments may involve blood product transfusions or medicines. In addition, medicines are available that can reduce blood pressure and pressure in the brain and prevent seizures and blood vessel spasms.
Blood Vessel and Brain Surgery
Surgery could be necessary if the bleeding area is extensive to relieve pressure and extract the blood, and this option can also fix damaged blood vessels. Some example surgical procedures include clamping below an aneurysm, filling an aneurysm with coils, removing blood vessels with thin walls, and utilizing radiation to fix blood vessel abnormalities.
How Do Stroke Units Improve Patient Outcomes?
According to the NLM, stroke units help prevent disability and death by providing specialist interdisciplinary care to diagnose patients, administer emergency treatments, normalize homeostasis, prevent health complications, rehabilitate patients, and apply secondary prevention measures. Stroke units improve patient outcomes by offering excellent fundamental medical care and the timely application of specialist treatments, including TPA, as well as assessing neurological impairment, swallowing, nutrition, fluid balance, vascular risk considerations, continence, rehabilitation goals, communication, cognitive function, ability to complete daily activities, and mood disorders. Other important factors contributing to stroke units improving patient outcomes include effective patient communication and collaborative decision-making.
How Has Erin Marshall Advocated To Improve Acute Stroke Treatment and Patient Outcomes?
Erin’s work over the years has focused on improving healthcare in New Mexico and nationwide through advocacy, auditing hospitals, and supporting improvement projects with healthcare providers. Some of her key work includes the following:
- Promoting JCAHO Primary Stroke Center hospital accreditation in every state
- Advocating for improved stroke treatment medical education
- Providing consultancy services to the New Mexico Department of Health concerning stroke prevention
- Determining change goals of national public health systems focused on preventing stroke through identification and treatment, aligned with issues faced by the New Mexico Department of Health
- Writing legislation and advocating to create the New Mexico State Stroke Advisory Council
- Securing $100,000 of recurring funding from the state legislature to initiate the second state-funded stroke program in the United States
- Working to improve Emergency Medical Services (EMS) protocols concerning stroke treatment
- Contributing to the publication of the 2005 legislative stroke report
Contact a New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer To Learn More
Before practicing law, Erin Marshall spent two decades crafting and promoting policies aimed at safeguarding the public, much of which focused on stroke treatments and patient care. Thanks to these efforts, and her work in hospital compliance, she can offer a unique clinical outlook to legal cases and critically evaluate complicated and interrelated issues to develop effective legal strategies. Gain a more detailed understanding of how Erin Marshall has advocated for many years to improve acute stroke treatment and patient outcomes, and explore the legal options available to those who have suffered a stroke as a result of medical negligence; call Erin Marshall Law at (505) 218-9949 to speak to an experienced Albuquerque personal injury attorney.u or a loved one were misdiagnosed or mistreated for a stroke and have suffered severe effects as a result, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the healthcare providers involved for medical negligence. Erin Marshall, formerly Erin Bicknell, has been involved in improving stroke care for a long time. An experienced New Mexico medical negligence and personal injury attorney with Erin Marshall Law may be able to review your case and discuss your legal options with you. Call (505) 218-9949 to schedule a consultation.
