Keep Talking Winter 2010

Keep Talking
February 2010

Welcome to our Winter 2010 newsletter - A happy new year to all

This month's stories:

SWIFT ACTION AND A NEW DRUG SAVED CATHERINE

Catherine Halliday’s story is a good example of how swift expert medical care can treat a new stroke and prevent further ones.

Catherine is 53 and lives in Guildford. She was out shopping just before Christmas in 2008 when she suddenly developed a weakness in her left leg and was taken to hospital by ambulance. She was examined and a stroke was diagnosed. A CT scan of her brain showed that this was an ischaemic stroke, caused by a clot. She was given thrombolysis, a new treatment that dissolves clots. After thrombolysis her weakness resolved completely and she was started on aspirin, a statin and tablets for high blood pressure.

A scan showed that there was a tight narrowing in her right carotid artery and she was referred for surgery. She had carotid endarterectomy under local anaesthetic two days after being admitted to hospital. The debris that was narrowing her artery was removed; this was almost certainly the cause of her stroke. Catherine recovered well from her operation and was discharged home two days afterwards. Later in the year Catherine went to her local hospital to be seen by a vascular surgeon who was pleased with her progress and noted that the repeat scan showed no evidence of narrowing.

Catherine’s story shows that, although she was unlucky enough to suffer a stroke at a relatively young age, prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to a very successful outcome.

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