HomeEmergency careCall for speedier treatment for patients who suffer from mini-stroke

Mini-stroke victims ‘miss out on vital care’

By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News

Mini-strokes often lead to a full-blown attack

Mini stroke tia

Mini-strokes often lead to a full-blown attack

Many patients at high risk of stroke are not getting the specialist treatment they need, an audit found.

People who suffer a mini-stroke are meant to undergo neck surgery to help prevent a full-blown attack.

The Royal College of Physicians and Vascular Society found just a third of 3,000 patients had the op by the two-week deadline, and many did not get it.

About 500 lives a year could be saved, they said. The government said progress had been made on stroke services.

Mini-strokes – or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) as they are known – will often lead to a full-blown attack.

This audit shows that there is still a long way to go to make sure people get urgent preventative treatment that could prevent a catastrophic stroke”

Nikki Hill Stroke Association

However, one in five full strokes can be prevented through an operation known as a carotid endarterectomy to unblock the arteries.

This has to be done within 14 days of symptoms showing to be really effective.

But the review of more than 3,000 cases showed only 1,005 were done within that timeframe. The average wait was 28 days.

Lack of GP referral, hospital staff and equipment were all highlighted as key problems.

The audit concluded that stroke services would be best concentrated in fewer, larger centres to ensure adequate staffing and resources were available.

However, not all the delays were down to the NHS – nearly a fifth of patients waited too long before seeking help.

Read the full article about mini stroke and TIA


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