Prior to 2020, an endovascular stroke intervention, one in which a catheter is used to remove a clot from the brain, had never been performed in Northern Michigan. Fast forward four years later, Munson Medical Center (MMC) is home to the first and only certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Northern Michigan and can perform two interventions simultaneously.
In fact, this was the scenario for Gary Rajah, MD, and David Rosenbaum-HaLevi, MD, back in mid-April.
“Around 10 percent of the stroke patients we care for require an endovascular intervention,” said Dr. Rosenbaum-HaLevi, Interventional Neurologist and Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center Medical Director. “Statistically, the need to perform two thrombectomies at once is rare but we do see it happen one, two, maybe three times a year.”
In this case, two patients were transported more than an hour from Traverse City and arrived within five minutes of one another. The stroke team was in position when they arrived, thanks to diagnostic technology that fits in the palm of your hand.
“Viz AI allows each of our hospitals across the region to send CT brain scans to our stroke interventionalists at MMC via a phone app,” said Alexis Carroll, PA-C, Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center. “Being able to review the scans from anywhere and determine a course of treatment provides time to mobilize the stroke team, saving valuable minutes which was the case in this instance.”
Both patients were taken straight to the Artis Icono Bi-plane Imaging Suite upon arrival to the Medical Center. Dr. Rajah, Endovascular/Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon and Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center Surgical Director received the first patient who was experiencing severe weakness on one their left side. He was able to remove the clot in 14 minutes at which point they saw immediate improvement in the patient’s symptoms.
“Just a few years ago this patient would have needed to be transferred to Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor for care,” said Dr. Rajah. “The investment made in stroke care, including one of the few back-to-back Icono bi-plane suites in our state, is having a remarkable impact on people’s lives across Northern Michigan.”
At the same time, in the other bi-plane lab right next door, Dr. Rosenbaum-HaLevi was performing a thrombectomy (clot removing procedure) on a patient experiencing paralysis in their left leg. He was able to remove the clot in 19 minutes when time is a major factor.
“People seeking care within three hours of the onset of symptoms increase their chances of a positive outcome,” said Dr. Rosenbaum-HaLevi. “It is critical to BE FAST which is an acronym that serves as a reminder that if you or someone close to you is experiencing Balance issues, blurry Eyes, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, or Slurred speech then it’s Time to call 911 immediately.”
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of serious long-term disability. In this case, both patients recognized the symptoms, sought and received the timely care they needed, and each was able to retain their functional independence as a result.
“For a community our size, we are very fortunate to have a team and the technology to provide care for the most complex stroke cases and in occurrences like this one, multiple cases at the same time,” said Dr. Rajah. “Every day at Munson Medical Center and each of our facilities across Northern Michigan we are saving lives, preserving quality of life, and remain committed to continually raising the level of care we provide our patients.”
For more on this story, check out the feature that appeared on 9&10 News at 6:00, Friday, May 17.
For more information on the Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center visit munsonhealthcare.org/stroke.