Call for improved European stroke care
Tuesday July 24th, 2018
Tens of thousands of patients across Europe could benefit from improved stroke care, according to a major survey of facilities across the continent.
Access to intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment vary significantly, according to the survey conducted by a range of organisations including the European Stroke Organisation and the European Academy of Neurology.
The survey found the UK lagging behind many other wealthy countries in Scandinavia and northern Europe in its provision of stroke care.
The researchers say the UK has adequate stroke units and access to intravenous thrombolysis – but lacks comprehensive stroke centres.
Across Europe, 226,662 extra patients a year could get intravenous thrombolysis and 67,347 could have endovascular treatments, the researchers say.
Professor Urs Fischer, of University Hospital Bern, Switzerland, said: “Many stroke victims in Europe still have no access to acute stroke treatment.
“If stroke unit care, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy would be routine practice throughout Europe, many more victims could survive their stroke without a major handicap.”
Access to and delivery of acute ischaemic stroke treatments: a survey of national scientific societies and stroke experts in 44 European countries European Stroke Journal 20 July 2018;
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2396987318786023
Tags: A&E | Brain & Neurology | Europe | UK News
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