The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 62 COVID patients today, 60 Tuesday. Other significant numbers:
- 35 with the active virus today, 36 Tuesday
- 5 in ICU, 4 Tuesday
- 4 on a ventilator, 3 Tuesday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- The Select Two trial was published just three weeks ago in the New England Journal of Medicine and its key question was should patients with larger strokes get a thrombectomy -- a procedure that removes a blood clot.
- Hopes that people understand the impact of science on lives.
- This story is a testament to the power of science and the patients who have the faith to participate in trials so we can advance the science to help others.
Dr. Michael Abraham, director of stroke research, University of Kansas Medical Center
- He showed an aspiration catheter that he ran from the artery in his patient’s leg all the way around his aorta, literally into the brain to the level of the clot.
- It was connected to an aspiration tank which provided continuous suction or aspiration and literally suck the clot out of his brain, restoring normal blood flow back into that area of the brain.
- A large stroke is where you have a large portion of that brain where the blood vessel is already damaged by the time the patient gets to the hospital.
- A small stroke is just where a small area of the brain has stroked out, so the rest of the brain is at risk of stroking out and that's why we have to move exceptionally fast to try to get the clot out and save the rest of the brain from stroking out.
- Twenty percent of those in the thrombectomy arm of the trial had a better outcome versus 7 percent in the standard of care arm – a very important finding that we saw from this trial.
- The second outcome we looked at is the ability to ambulate or walk independently and 37 percent in the endovascular thrombectomy arm were able to walk independently at 90 days versus only 18 percent. This is really, really important because if you cannot walk that has such a huge impact, not just on the patient, but on your loved one's caregivers.
Dr. Colleen Lechtenberg, neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- In 2022, the Health System performed almost 200 thrombectomies.
- It is becoming more of a standard, but they should be done at a comprehensive stroke center and there are only three in the region.
- It takes so many people involved in this program -- many of them behind the scenes -- to get to these impressive outcomes.
- Seeing success stories like this are very important for all of us working on the Stroke Program.
Michael Augustine, stroke patient
- Woke up for breakfast and could not stand to walk downstairs. He had no idea what was happening.
- He had a stroke about five years prior, so he and his wife knew that was a possibility.
- Dr. Abraham conducted the thrombectomy and saw immediate improvement for Michael.
- 200 days later, Michael was able to walk his daughter down the aisle for her wedding.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Flu vaccines have been effective in keeping flu hospitalizations low.
- The first-ever RSV vaccine for adults over 60 is to be voted on by an advisory committee.
- Hopefully, there will be two vaccines to choose from.
Thursday, March 2 is the next Morning Medical Update. Learn more about the unique healthcare journey of childhood cancer survivors and the doctor focused on keeping them cancer free in adulthood.
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