Acute Stroke?

An acute stroke is a medical emergency that demands immediate attention. Stroke can occur when there is a blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, leading to the interruption of oxygen and nutrient supply to brain cells. Without quick intervention, stroke can cause irreversible damage, potentially leading to long-term disability or even death. The faster the treatment, the better the chances of reducing brain damage and improving recovery outcomes.

Dr. Masood Ahmed, a highly skilled interventional cardiologist and endovascular specialist, offers expert stroke treatment in Lahore. With over 33 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Masood is dedicated to providing the most advanced and effective treatment for acute stroke patients. Dr. Masood Ahmed, a renowned Interventional Cardiologist and Endovascular Specialist, provides acute stroke treatment with 4.5 hours options that can significantly improve outcomes for patients.

Types of Stroke and Urgency for Treatment

There are primarily two types of stroke:

Ischemic Stroke: This occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, preventing blood flow. Ischemic strokes account for about 87% of all strokes.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding (hemorrhage) in or around the brain tissue.

Both types of stroke require prompt intervention to reduce the risk of permanent damage and to maximize recovery chances.

Acute Stroke Treatment in Lahore

Symptoms of an acute stroke can appear suddenly and may include:

BEFAST stands for:
- B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
- E – Eyes: (Mentioned in the paragraph below the acronym) Vision changes like double vision or loss of vision.
- F – Face: Facial drooping or asymmetry when smiling.
- A – Arms: Arm weakness or inability to raise both arms evenly.
- S – Speech: Slurred, strange, or difficult speech.
- T – Time: Act fast—call emergency services immediately (every minute counts).
Sudden confusion or trouble with mental clarity
Severe headache with no known cause
Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance

These symptoms often require immediate medical intervention. A stroke is considered a medical emergency, and rapid treatment with in time frame 6 to 24 hours is crucial in minimizing brain damage and improving the chances of recovery.

This is provided by thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion (usually the middle cerebral artery [MCA]), which can reverse disability back to normal if the patient is treated in a timely fashion—within 6 hours, or in some cases up to 24 hours.

This service is available around the clock in Saleem Memorial Hospital for acute stroke patients.

Acute Stroke Treatment: Why Timeliness is Crucial

When a stroke occurs, every minute counts. The brain is extremely sensitive to oxygen deprivation, and a stroke can lead to significant brain tissue damage within minutes. The sooner a stroke is treated, the higher the chances of reducing the severity of the damage and preventing long-term disability.

At Dr. Masood Ahmed’s clinic in Lahore, the approach to acute stroke treatment involves:

The effectiveness of this treatment depends heavily on the timeline; if performed within six hours, it can often provide near-complete neurological recovery.

This is excellent news for patients who reach the hospital rapidly after symptom onset.

Rapid Diagnosis

In Saleem Memorial Hospital (SMH), the rapid diagnosis is facilitated in the ER Department by the dedicated ER team.

They employ advanced diagnostic techniques including CT scan, CT angiography, MRI, to identify the nature and location of the stroke and to plan appropriate management.

Thrombolysis for Small Vessel Occlusion (SVO).

If a patient presents within 4.5 hours of onset of symptoms with small vessel occlusion (SVO), then the treatment of choice is thrombolysis using TPA (t small, P and A capital).

This treatment is available in Saleem Memorial Hospital.

Management of Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) Thrombectomy.

For those patients who are identified as large vessel occlusion (LVO), the treatment of choice is thrombectomy.

This treatment is offered in a timely fashion in Saleem Memorial Hospital by Dr. Masood Ahmed and his team, who employ the latest techniques to retrieve the clot through the deployment of special aspiration catheters and retrieval stents. These devices clear the occluded blood vessel and restore blood flow to the brain, which can rapidly reverse disabling stroke symptoms.

The effectiveness of this treatment depends heavily on the timeline; if performed within six hours, it can often provide near-complete neurological recovery.

This is excellent news for patients who reach the hospital rapidly after symptom onset.

Post-Stroke Rehabilitation:

After the acute phase of treatment, stroke rehabilitation is critical to recovery. Dr. Masood Ahmed works with a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation specialists, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, to ensure patients recover as much function as possible. Rehabilitation focuses on improving motor skills, speech, cognitive function, and emotional well-being.

Get Immediate Help for Acute Stroke in Lahore

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a stroke, don’t wait. Time is of the essence when it comes to stroke treatment. Dr. Masood Ahmed and his expert team are available for immediate consultation and treatment. Early intervention can save lives and improve recovery outcomes.

Why Choose Dr. Masood Ahmed?

Dr. Masood Ahmed’s expertise in treating acute stroke is grounded in his extensive experience in interventional cardiology and endovascular medicine. His ability to manage both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes with the latest technologies ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care.

33 Years of Experience
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How soon must treatment be administered for an ischemic stroke?

Treatment with tPA should ideally be given within 3 to 4.5 hours of stroke symptom onset to maximize its effectiveness.

What is mechanical thrombectomy?

Mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure where a catheter is used to physically remove a large clot from a blocked artery, helping restore blood flow to the brain.

Are there long-term effects after a stroke?

Yes, many stroke survivors experience long-term effects like paralysis, speech difficulties, or cognitive impairments, but rehabilitation can help improve these symptoms.

Can you prevent a stroke?

Not all strokes can be prevented, but you can greatly lower your risk. Keeping your blood pressure under control, stopping smoking, eating healthy, staying active, and managing diabetes all help protect you.

For some people with severe blockage in the neck arteries (carotid arteries), a treatment called carotid artery stenting can also reduce the chance of having a stroke in the future.