Technology

Latest Treatment on Acute Brain Stroke

Newer technique and device to save millions from the lifetime disability

The latest device brought in India by Mumbai-based Hester Diagnostics and Penumbra Inc of USA is set to revolutionalise the very limited prevailing treatment on the brain stroke. 'Penumbra System' is a new device for treatment of patients suffering from blood clots that block arteries in the brain. Dr Arani Bose said, "According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), brain stroke is the third largest killer after heart attack and cancer in India. Each year roughly 700,000 Americans experience a new or recurrent stroke. Stroke is the number one cause of inpatient Medicare reimbursement and exceeds $63 billion per year."

Brain stroke is the common name for brain injury caused due to inadequate circulation of blood, oxygen and other nutrients. Those suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes are in the high risk category of getting a stroke. "Brain injury from a stroke can affect the eyesight, senses, speech, behavioral and thought patterns, memory and emotions. Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body is also common," claimed Dr Uday Limaye, Interventional Neuro Radiologist of KEM Hospital, Mumbai who has been successfully using this device for his patients in KEM hospital.

When a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked it is medically referred to as 'ischemic stroke' which comprises about 87 per cent of all strokes and is preventable. Penumbra Inc's device platform is designed to revascularise or open up a blood vessel that is blocked by a blood clot.

Said Sanjiv Gandhi, Managing Director, Hester Diagnostics, "Authenticated figures of those suffering from brain stroke in India are not available. However, we expect that over 200 brain stroke victims will benefit from the Penumbra system of blood clot removal in the current year." Since past two decades Hester Diagnostics has made available in the country medical devices of leading global brands for treatment of heart disease (cardiology), cancer (oncology) and brain stroke (neuro-radiology).

EH News Bureau