Advances in stroke treatment are within reach

Opportunities for intervention: stroke treatments, disability and mortality in urban Tanzania

“…To prevent disability at 90 days (mRS 2-6) from all ischemic strokes, thrombolysis when given in 3 h has a NNT of 8.3 [21] and when given in 4.5 h has a NNT of 13.5 [22]. With the exception of South Africa [23], thrombectomy is unavailable in SSA. A meta-analysis showed that thrombectomy for strokes secondary to large vessel occlusion has a NNT of 7.1 to prevent disability at 90 days (mRS 2-6) [24].…”

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke

“…For the trial results to be replicated, identification and support of comprehensive stroke units with appropriate referral pathways of selected patients from primary stroke centres are needed. [14] A comprehensive stroke unit should include qualified neurointerventionalists who are able to offer mechanical thrombectomy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To get the right patient to the right place within the right time frame requires reorganisation of SA stroke services that involves substantial investment, great attention to care pathways and extensive co-operation between services, including ambulances and hospitals.…”