Why it matters: The landscape of stroke treatment is evolving, and Access TeleCare’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge care is evidenced by our teleNeurologists who are leading groundbreaking research in addition to providing direct patient care. A recent American Heart Association podcast highlights the critical work of Dr. Amrou Sarraj, one of our vascular teleNeurologists, in expanding the boundaries of mechanical thrombectomy.
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- Clinical trial leadership: Access TeleCare’s Dr. Sarraj, a principal investigator in a major stroke trial, is driving research on the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy for large ischemic strokes.
- The imaging puzzle: The conversation delves into the diverse imaging criteria used across six pivotal trials, from pragmatic non-contrast CT to advanced perfusion imaging, underscoring the complexity and necessity of expert interpretation.
- Impact on systems of care: The expansion of thrombectomy to a broader patient population requires a new approach to stroke systems, a challenge our physicians are actively tackling through their research.
The big picture: The latest American Heart Association Stroke Alert Podcast episode features an interview with Access TeleCare’s own Dr. Amrou Sarraj, a leading figure in vascular neurology. Dr. Sarraj discusses his critical review of six randomized controlled trials on mechanical thrombectomy for large ischemic strokes. This research is instrumental in determining how to best treat patients with large ischemic strokes — a population once considered untreatable with this procedure.
Dr. Sarraj’s work on this research showcases Access TeleCare’s dedication to research that directly impacts patient outcomes. The interview explores the crucial differences in how these trials defined “large core” using various imaging techniques, from the widely used ASPECTS score to advanced volumetric measurements. Dr. Sarraj notes, “All of the trials included patients with ASPECTS 3 to 5.” This detail is key for our physicians, who must interpret these complex imaging results in real-time to make life-saving decisions.
What’s next: Dr. Sarraj’s research not only pushes the field forward but also directly informs the expertise our teleNeurologists provide. This commitment to being at the forefront of progress means that Access TeleCare physicians are not just applying the latest standards of care; they are actively shaping them. This ensures that every patient, regardless of location, receives care informed by the most current and rigorous scientific evidence.
