Stroke is a major public health concern in India accounting for approx. 150 new cases per 100000 per year while accounting for 150-600 cases per 100000 at any time. Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally and a leading cause of disability. In Bangalore alone 40 new stroke cases are recorded each day. There has been an alarming rise of young strokes below the age of 45 years and what is more alarming is the prevalence of conventional risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol in this population, besides lesser known and rarer causes. 

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving the brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This can happen due to a blocked blood vessel leading to reduced blood supply or bursting of the blood vessel in the brain, leading to leakage of blood. The former accounts for 85% while the latter accounts for 15% of all strokes.

Every minute of blood vessel being blocked, we lose 1.9 million neurons, leading to more permanent disability and poorer clinical outcome if the vessel is not opened up in time. 4.5 hours, also referred as the golden hour is the time upto which IV clotbuster injection can be administered, earlier the injection administered, better the clinical outcome. When the large vessel is blocked, the IV clotbuster may not always be able to open up the artery, hence may require a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure where wire is passed via groin puncture, followed by guiding catheter and stent retriever which engages the clot in the brain artery and the clot is extracted. This procedure is done upto 6-7 hours in most patients and upto 24 hours in selected patients.

At Sakra World Hospital, we continuously strive to achieve a quicker door-to-needle and door-to-balloon time with efficient hospital processes and systems in place. It stands as a benchmark for quality health care in the city of Bangalore. Sakra is a comprehensive stroke center and a go-to hospital for any neuro-emergencies round the clock.