Solan, 26 September:- A 54-year-old woman from Solan suffering from an acute ischemic brain stroke was given a new lease of life after undergoing successful advanced mechanical thrombectomy at Livasa Hospital, Mohali.
Speaking during a press conference in Solan on Saturday, Director-Neuro & Spine Surgeon and Head Neuro-Intervention, Livasa Hospital, Mohali, Dr. Vineet Saggar said that the patient had been brought with symptoms of a stroke.
Dr. Saggar said that detailed imaging investigations revealed a severe blockage in a major blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. Considering the severity of the stroke and the patient’s clinical condition, the medical team initiated the mechanical thrombectomy procedure. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which a specialised device is guided through the blood vessels to the brain to remove the clot obstructing blood flow.
Successful removal of the clot restored blood flow to the affected part of the brain, following which significant improvement in the patient’s ability to speak and move was observed within a few hours.
Dr. Saggar said that mechanical thrombectomy has brought a revolutionary change in the treatment of selected stroke patients with blockages in large blood vessels. He emphasised that stroke is a medical emergency where every minute is important. Timely recognition of symptoms, prompt imaging and immediate referral to a stroke centre with appropriate facilities can significantly increase the chances of recovery.
Dr. Saggar also provided information about the ‘Namaste’ protocol, a simple and practical method for recognising stroke. It is designed to help family members and people nearby quickly identify possible symptoms of stroke.
Inspired by the Indian tradition of ‘Namaste’, the method encourages people to monitor key neurological functions through some simple actions—such as joining both hands, smiling and speaking, looking left and right, and standing upright. Dr. Saggar said that difficulty in performing any of these actions—such as one arm dropping down, facial drooping, slurred speech, abnormal eye movements or loss of balance—should be considered a warning sign of brain stroke, and immediate medical assistance should be sought.
