New stroke care concept 53 valuable minutes more for the brain

German researchers are developing a new stroke care concept
In Germany, around 270,000 people suffer a stroke each year. This disease is the world's leading cause of permanent disability. German researchers have now developed a new care concept for those affected, which brings valuable time for the brain.

Many deaths could be avoided
Every year, more than a quarter of a million Germans suffer a stroke. This is one of the leading causes of death in Germany. What is often neglected: it also affects younger people. This can be dangerous because the stroke is often recognized late. But quick action is vital. According to experts, many deaths would be avoidable if stroke symptoms are recognized quickly and those affected are treated promptly. German researchers have now developed a new concept that brings valuable time for patients.

In the treatment of a stroke counts every minute. German researchers have now developed a new care concept for those affected, which brings valuable time for the brain. (Image: Monkey Business / fotolia.com)

Every minute counts in stroke treatment
In the treatment of a stroke counts every minute! The longer the brain is not sufficiently supplied with oxygen and nutrients, the more brain cells die. This leads to permanent restrictions. Stroke is considered the most common cause of permanent disability worldwide.

A new care concept, developed by an interdisciplinary team of stroke researchers at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), provides 53 minutes of valuable brain time.

According to a statement from the university, the Göttingen concept organizes and accelerates the workflow from the arrival of a patient with stroke symptoms in the emergency department to treatment.

According to the report, a sample procedure for the treatment of acute stroke patients then coordinates the responsibilities of the physicians involved, defines the main cornerstones of the treatment measures and sets out the time required for each step between arrival and treatment.

Structured procedure in the time between admission and treatment
The impact of such a structured approach on the time between admission and treatment as well as on the patient's complaints has been evaluated by UMG's "Clinical Stroke Research" group and recently published in the international journal "PLOS ONE".

"By standardizing the procedures and structured cooperation between the individual clinics involved in the stroke treatment, the time to treatment could be significantly shortened at the UMG," explained Dr. med. Katharina Schregel, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology and first author of the publication.

"This has significantly reduced the degree of disability in stroke patients," Dr. Liman from the Department of Neurology.

Win more minutes
The time savings of 53 minutes between the arrival of patients in the emergency room and treatment also significantly improved the treatment outcome:

The number of patients who are completely symptom-free again after endovascular treatment was increased from 1.5 percent before the introduction of the schedule to 9.1 percent, the experts report.

At the same time, the number of permanently severely affected patients fell from 44.3 percent to 36.4 percent.

The Göttingen researchers want to improve the concept even further. According to her, the "Clinical Stroke Research" working group of the UMG is currently working on further shortening the time between delivery and treatment and further optimizing work processes. (Ad)