Narayana doctors save 102 year old patient from lifelong paralysis by thrombolysis

Bengaluru: Doctors at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Whitefield, successfully treated a 102-year-old patient from being paralysed due to stroke. He was saved by administering thrombolysis.

Mr. Ramaswamy was leading a retired life in Whitefield; however, on one of the days, he suddenly started developing weakness in his left hand and leg. The family realized that it wasn’t a normal weakness and immediately admitted him at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Whitefield. As his symptoms were similar to a stroke, Dr. Deepak N, Associate Consultant- Neurologist, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Whitefield, and the team did an MRI scan of the brain. On diagnosis, it was found that Mr. Ramaswamy had suffered a stroke and the right side of his brain was not getting sufficient blood supply owing to a blockage in the blood vessel. The traditional mode of treatment would have been to be preventing future occurrences of a stroke rather than reviving his current condition. He would have been paralysed and would have had to live the rest of his life as bedridden. However, owing to the deep expertise that Narayana Multispecialty Hospital has, the doctors after analyzing his condition prudently, suggested thrombolysis.

Thrombolysis is a treatment used to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow and prevent damage to tissues and organs. Thrombolysis may involve the injection of clot-busting drugs through an intravenous (IV) line. In consultation with the family, the patient was administered thrombolysis injection. The patient not only was saved from paralysis, he was discharged from the hospital; within three days. Today he is leading a near normal life that any retired person would live.

Elaborating about the case, Dr. Deepak N, Associate Consultant - Neurologist, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Whitefield said, “Thrombolysis is a very challenging treatment method in seniors, as with age our brain becomes fragile and strong medication like thrombolysis can lead to bleeding in the brain. In this case, the stroke survivor was 102 years and this was definitely a tough decision. However, after detailed analysis and with the help of the multi-disciplinary team at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Whitefield we have been able to revive him to his old self. With this successful treatment, Mr. Ramaswamy becomes the oldest person in the city to have been saved from stroke through medical intervention”

“Stroke treatment has been revolutionized, however, awareness about the condition is still in its nascent stage. If treated within the golden hours which is 4.5 hours, patients can be saved from mortality or morbidity caused due to stroke,” added Dr. Deepak

Expressing his joy, Mr. Ramaswamy said, “Dr. Deepak and his team have been extremely supportive to me and my family during the entire treatment. Being paralysed at this age would have put tremendous stress on my family and I am grateful to the hospital for taking the chance and gifting me a life to cheer. Many people at this age don’t get lucky so easily, I am grateful that my family took the decision to bring me to the right hands.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stroke is one of the most common neurological conditions causing long-term disability and mortality. In fact, in India, it is the second most common cause of death. One of the main reasons for such a high mortality and morbidity rate in stroke is the lack of awareness about the treatment available and delay in providing the treatment. The symptoms of stroke are popularly known by its acronym FAST where is F stands for Face drooping, A for arm numbness or weakness, S for speech difficulty and T for timely action. Stroke patients usually witness symptoms like coordination issues, stiffness in muscles, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, dizziness, double or blurred vision, difficulty speaking or total loss of speech, and reduced sensation of touch. In such a scenario, time is the most crucial factor and patients should be immediately rushed to the nearby stroke ready hospital to avoid any irreparable damage to brain cells. Even in this case, the timely intervention of the family and the hospital’s expertise has helped in saving the patient.