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Be ahead of your time

When stroke strikes, think F.A.S.T.

Timely stroke treatment is crucial for every patient.

For stroke patients, time is of the essence. Every minute saved can positively impact patient outcomes. That’s why it’s key to save time along the entire stroke pathway – from the onset of stroke to treatment and follow-up. 

Image that shows Johan Wasselius, PhD, MD

Johan Wassélius

MD, PhD, Senior Interventional Neuroradiologist at Skåne University Hospital Lund and Associate Professor at Lund University, Sweden

"At every step of the stroke chain, we try to be as fast as possible [...], to allow the patient to get its treatment as soon as possible of their onset, to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient."

Distance is a real challenge in Sweden’s southernmost stroke network. Travel time to the nearest hospital can vary drastically. To address this situation Skåne University Hospital and the 13 regional Primary Stroke Centers (PSC) have installed a spoke-and-hub system with a number of procedural adjustments intended to speed up the pathway and improve diagnosis, especially for patients eligible for thrombectomy at the Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC)

In this NeuroNews article, learn how your peers were able to shorten door-to-perfusion time with the angio-only one-stop-shop for acute stroke patients to improve patient outcomes. 

NeuroNews_Educational_Supplement_Original

As mechanical thrombectomies continue to rise, whole communities are working around the clock to establish endovascular-capable centers to optimize stroke systems of care. In this NeuroNews educational supplement, Dr. Marios-Nikos Psychogios and Dr. René Chapot discuss their approach to speeding up stoke care and show us how Siemens Healthineers is allowing them success in the angio-only approach. 

“I want to thank Siemens Healthineers for being an exceptional partner in our efforts to offer patients in our region the most advanced and efficient stroke care anywhere. ARTIS icono – there is no substitute. Put it in your emergency department, too.”**

<p>Ryan McTaggart, MD</p>

Ryan McTaggart, MD

Director Interventional Neuroradiology

Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, US

Solutions improving stroke pathways

Optimal treatment across all steps of the clinical pathway is crucial for good patient outcome.



    Angio-only solution

    nexaris Angio-CT suite

    Traditional imaging workflow

    SOMATOM on.site

    Perform stroke care in the fast lane

    ARTIS icono D-Spin

    Meet the ARTIS icono biplane

    Stroke patients need medical help extremely fast. Our angio-only solution, ARTIS icono, provides you with new functionalities to increase confidence in stroke care. More precise cone beam CT images are obtainable, even in challenging areas like the skull base. The ARTIS icono biplane supports expanding precision medicine to advance therapy outcomes in neuro interventions.

    • With its Twin Spin feature, you can switch effortlessly between 2D and 3D imaging without having to park the lateral plane 
    • With syngo DynaCT Multiphase, it is now possible to assess collateral vessels with time resolved DynaCT, depicting 10 different time points within a period of 60 seconds 
    • With ischemic stroke confirmed, the blocked vessel can be treated with image guidance on our biplane angiography system. Advanced applications allow the physician to visualize the blockage, retrieve the clot, and check the status of the blood flow to the vessel. 

    See how Siemens is revolutionizing stroke care using an Angio-Only approach.

    nexaris Angio-CT suite

    Reducing door-to-groin time for stroke patients is critical for improved patient outcomes. Optimize clinical processes by performing CT imaging and angio stroke intervention in the same room. With the seamless integration of the nexaris Angio-CT suite, patients can stay on the same table for diagnostic imaging and intervention -- translating into time savings and enhanced patient safety.

    Multi-room configurations can further boost efficiency, allowing separate teams to share the same CT gantry that slides on rails between rooms. Customized room designs offer flexibility to adapt to clinical needs to help drive utilization. A two-room nexaris Angio-CT , with an Angiography system in one room and a Sliding Gantry CT in the other, allows the systems to be used independently.

    • Integrated multi-modality suite that shares one table for CT imaging, diagnosis, and intervention, making patient transfer unnecessary
    • Designed to support enhanced patient outcomes for stroke management
    • Potential cost savings thanks to reduced workflow time 
    • Faster acute stroke treatment with CT imaging and diagnosis, followed by image-guided intervention and thrombectomy, all in one room
    • High-end care for centers of excellence

    Traditional imaging workflow

    You rely on excellent diagnostic imaging to confirm ischemic stroke, detect the location of the vessel occlusion and evaluate the brain damage and penumbra. CT and MR imaging are considered the gold standard by international stroke guidelines. Our dedicated CT and MR solutions offer stroke protocols that provide imaging for you to make confident and fast diagnostic decisions.
    • Uncompromised image quality throughout the CT scanner portfolio enables optimized signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratio for excellent gray-white matter differentiation and contrast enhancement.  
    • Combining outstanding CT image quality, dose reduction and workflow enhancing tools: FAST 3D Camera, CARE Dose 4D, Iterative Reconstruction, X-CARE, iMAR, Dual Energy (DE) spectral imaging, Adaptive 4D and Flex 4D Imaging. 
    •  Standardized scanning and workflow for stroke with fully automated stroke perfusion analysis with syngo.via Auto Stroke and Rapid Results. 
    • Fast scan, analysis, and decision support for endovascular mechanical thrombectomy planning, ongoing triage and treatment pathways. Every second counts in stroke, because “time is brain”.

    Bringing critical care imaging to your patient and transforming care delivery with SOMATOM On.site

    Mobile head CT imaging with the SOMATOM On.site offers reliable and consistent Point of Care imaging, right at your patient’s bedside. This will change the way you care for ICU patients with acute and neuro critical conditions. Reducing or eliminating transport to the radiology department for CT imaging of the head may help prevent related risks and allows your staff to concentrate on what matters most: providing optimal care for all patients within the department.

    With this fast access to mobile CT imaging of the head directly at the point of care, physicians can reach fast treatment decisions and changes in the patient’s condition or arising complications for better outcomes. Additionally, offering CT imaging directly in the ICU allows the radiology department to maintain their scheduling.  
    • Minimize patient transports
    • Optimize staff deployment
    • Streamline a complex workflow
    • Achieve reliable and consistent image quality at the Point of Care
    • A slim system design with easy maneuverability and integrated patient support accessories
    •  Self-shielded system with telescopic gantry design

    Stroke solutions

    The clinical stroke patient pathway

    As your partner in stroke management, we keep you ahead of your time. Our advanced technologies let you speed up stroke care and transform care delivery along the entire patient pathway – from stroke screening and pre-hospital diagnosis and care to in-hospital diagnosis and treatment. Explore our offerings for stroke care!

    MSCT imageMSCT
    DynaCT imageDynaCT
    Courtesy: Prof. Martin Skalej, MD, Neuroradiology, University Medicine Magdeburg, Germany

    Experience the CT-like image quality of syngo DynaCT

    Slide between the two images and see for yourself the marginal difference in image quality between syngo DynaCT and CT images

    11 days time difference between the acquisition of the MSCT and the DynaCT image.

    Clear image quality for confident diagnosis and treatment

    To quickly and confidently diagnose stroke, assess its impact, and perform mechanical thrombectomy, you need clear information. All our CT and MRI scanners as well as angiography systems let you see even the smallest anatomical details in excellent quality. See for yourself!

    CT imaging
    MR imaging
    Angio imaging
    Stroke care - Native head scan
    Courtesy of University Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany

    Native head scan

    Assist with or support differential diagnosis of acute stroke with excellent gray-white matter differentiation and contrast enhancement

    Future vision for stroke management

    Get a small taste of what future digitalization can mean for Paula, a middle-aged woman with an elevated risk of being hit by a stroke.

    We at Siemens Healthineers are committed to helping healthcare providers globally to succeed in today’s dynamic environment. We are inspired to transform the way things are done – because we want what is best for our people, our customers, and ultimately the health of mankind.

    Connecting data and people to improve patient outcomes – digitalizing healthcare
    Digitalizing healthcare is the key enabler for expanding precision medicine transforming care delivery, and improving patient experience. Ultimately, digitalizing healthcare enables providers to achieve better outcomes at lower costs. To make this possible, four steps are critical:

    • Manage data as a strategic asset, e.g. with the support of technology like the digital twin
    • Empower data-driven decisions
    • Connect care teams and patients
    • Build a learning health system, e.g. using AI technology

    Stroke patients tell their stories – about how fast care saved their lives

    Did you know that nearly 60% of all new ischemic strokes happen in people younger than 70, and that 7% occur in people under 44?1) Watch the incredible stories of Stéphane, Zosia, Sebastian, and Gerald – and learn how fast response and treatment can make a difference to a good recovery.
    Stéphane
    Zosia
    Sebastian
    Gerald

    When life gives you a second chance

    Stéphane, a father of two, suffered a stroke right after he woke up one morning. Watch the video and find out how the fast reactions of his wife, the paramedics, and the hospital staff played a crucial role in getting the blood flow to his brain restored quickly, leaving him with no disabilities.

    Burden of stroke

    Did you know a stroke occurs every 40 seconds?*

    Stroke awareness is more important than ever – anyone at any age can experience a stroke. Watch this video to learn the warning signs so you can act F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing stroke symptoms.

    When every second counts, having the right technology matters

    When Gerry Sandlin suffered a stroke mid-air, his wife knew the symptoms of stroke and called for help immediately. Their plane made an emergency landing in Memphis, where the UT Mobile Stroke Unit met Gerry on the tarmac. Watch this heartwarming video to learn how precision medicine saved Gerry’s life.

    Educational Supplements

    NeuroNews on interventional radiology

    Stroke treatment in the fast lane

    In this educational supplement, Dr. Marios-Nikos Psychogios and Dr. René Chapot discuss their approach to speeding up stroke care and show us how Siemens Healthineers is allowing them success in the angio-only approach.

    Redefining Stroke Care

    Redefining world-class stroke care

    Read about four physicians with a vision to improve access to Mechanical Thrombectomy and learn how they create an ED/CT bypass model prescreened patients directly to the neurovascular angiography suite.

    The statements by Siemens Healthineers’ customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer's unique setting. Because there is no “typical” hospital or laboratory and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, samples mix, case mix, level of IT and/or automation adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results.”

    1

    https://www.strokeforum.com/overview/epidemiology

    2

    G. Albers et al.; N Engl J Med 2018; 378:708-718

    3

    M. Goyal et al.; N Engl J Med 2015; 372:1019-1030 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1414905

    4

    M. Psychogios et al.; J Clin Med. 2019 Dec 11;8(12)

    5

    G. Thomalla et al., "MRI-Guided Thrombolysis for Stroke with Unknown Time of Onset"; N Engl J Med 2018; 379:611-622

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