Geographical Location Has Huge Impact on Stroke Treatment

A new study on the usage of cutting-edge clot-removing drugs in stroke treatment revealed that the drugs are only being utilized in particular regions of the U.S., leading to a survival rate often tied to local geography of the patient. Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School reported in the journal Stroke that a nationwide review of the “clotbuster” drug, known as TPA, revealed that in one-fifth of the cases analyzed, the drug was not utilized in specific regions of hospitals and treatment centers. These regions were visibly reporting higher rates of stroke fatalities as well as severely worse recovery time among survivors. “These results scream that a major opportunity exists to improve emergency stroke care, if only we can understand how these differences arise and how to eliminate them,” said the lead researcher of the study. “If we had a perfect system in place nationwide, which delivered treatment at the highest rates seen in this study, thousands of patients could be spared disability.” To learn more about this study, click here.