Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network, Mangalore
Oct 29, 2010
One fine day 52- year-old Vaikunta Murthy, a head constable with the Reserve Police Force, Deralakatte, Mangalore developed a sudden onset of right-sided paralysis and inability to speak. He was taken to the hospital within 2 hours. Soon the team of doctors led by Dr Rajesh Shetty sprung into action and injected IV rtPA to the patient. The blocked artery was opened up and the right- sided paralysis was reversed after which the patient could speak again. He could soon get back to work and support his family of two
children.
This is just one of the cases of stroke successfully treated by Dr Rajesh Shetty, Consultant Neurologist at A J Hospital & Research Centre.
Every six seconds, regardless of age or gender, someone, somewhere will die from stroke. Reaching the hospital at the right time plays a vital role. Stressing the same and explaining all about ‘Stroke’ on World Stroke Day in an exclusive interview to
Daijiworld is Dr Rajesh Shetty who has managed to bring smiles on the faces of many with his magical healing hands.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What exactly is called a Stroke? What are its symptoms?
A: It is a sudden onset of paralysis of one half of the body or difficulty in speaking or deviation of mouth to one side. It is the Number 1 cause of disability in the world and the third commonest cause of death.
Q: How does it happen? Are there different kinds of stroke?
A: There care two types of stroke- 1. Ischemic which occurs in 85% of patients
2. Haemorrhagic which is seen in 15% of patients
Q: What is an Ischemic stroke?
A: It is a sudden block in the blood supply to the brain, causing an infarct (damage) to the brain leading to paralysis of one side of the body.
Q: What is Haemorrhagic stroke?
A: It is a sudden rupture of artery within the brain leading to brain haemorrhage and paralysis of one half of the body.
Q: How exactly the disease can be treated in the best possible way?
A: Urgent reopening of the blocked artery can save the brain and reverse the paralysis and prevent the disability.
For maximum benefit the patient must reach the hospital within 3 hours. In that case, a drug called rtPA is injected IV into the patient i.e.; injecting the drug through veins of the patient.
After 3 hours the brain damage is hard to reverse and the damage may become permanent. Hence reaching the hospital within 3 hours is of paramount importance.
Q: If incase the patient fails to reach within 3 hours isn’t there any other alternative? Can any other procedure help out the patient?
A: If the patient reaches between 3 to 6 hours, there is a procedure called IA(intra arterial) rtPA Thrombolysis. Through the groin, a micro-catheter is passed and taken into the brain where the artery is blocked and then the rtPA drug is injected. The clot is broken up, blood flow to the brain is restored and paralysis is reversed.
Q: Can you give an example of this kind of treatment done in your hospital?
A patient named Janaki (50) was admitted in the hospital for cardiac valve replacement surgery. When she was in the hospital itself she developed right-sided paralysis and inability to speak. In her case we could not inject the drug through the veins. Hence the IA rtPA drug was injected. Immediately the paralysis was reversed and the patient was normal and the very next day she was discharged.
Q: Who is at risk of getting the disease?
A: People with hypertension (BP), diabetes (sugar), Hypercholesterolemia (increased cholesterol/ obesity), Heavy smokers, one who have family history of the disease, people with heart disease are more prone to develop stroke. BP, Sugar, Cholesterol and smoking are considered as the main risk factors of stroke.
Q: How can the disease be prevented?
A: Mainly the risk factors needs to be controlled and regular exercise or brisk walking for 30 minutes a day is adequate to prevent stroke.
Q: Do the stroke patients usually manage to reach the hospital on time?
A: Sadly, only 5% of patients reach the hospital on time despite all the awareness created on the issue.
Q: What is your message to the readers on World Stroke Day?
A: ‘Time is Brain’; ‘Time Lost is Brain Lost’. Reaching the hospital within 3 hours can save a life. Kindly spread the message to all you care.
Dr Rajesh Shetty can be contacted on - +91 9845084424
e-mail – shettydocneuro@hotmail.com
Meet the Doctor...
Ask Doctor..