HJAR Mar/Apr 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAR / APR 2021 43 Ali Krisht, MD, FACS Director Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent Recognizing the Signs and Stroke Symptoms As time passes, even the most advanced technology and talented neurosurgeon be- come less effective in caring for stroke pa- tients. To ensure the best possible outcomes, patients require care within three hours of the first signs of a stroke. That’s why it’s im- portant for patients, as well as friends, family and co-workers, to recognize those signs and symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms often occur suddenly and may include: • Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; • Confusion and trouble speaking or understanding; • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; • Difficulty walking, dizziness or loss of balance; • A severe and sudden-onset headache, sometimes described as a “clap of thunder.” Anyone suffering a stroke should call 911 or get to an emergency room as soon as pos- sible. The Arkansas Neuroscience Institute (ANI) at CHI St. Vincent North has a spe- cialized team on alert 24/7 to quickly initi- ate proper care for patients brought to them from across the state and region, because we know that every minute matters, not just in terms of saving lives but also to prevent common functional deficits often associated with stroke. Advancements in Stroke Treatments In addition to caring for patients from across Arkansas, the U.S. and in some cases from around the world, surgeons at ANI con- tinually work to improve stroke treatment options or even pioneer new advancements. In some cases, we can even conduct bypass surgery on a blood vessel in the brain to di- rect blood to a region impacted by a stroke, much in the same manner as a cardiac surgeon would conduct a bypass surgery on the heart. Treatment options for stroke continue to grow and evolve, both in terms of technological advancements and surgical technique, and we work daily to stay on the forefront so that our patients have access to the best care possible. It’s also important that we never settle for “good enough.” At ANI, we constantly work to improve procedures and outcomes for our patients. We make progress in the field of neurosurgery every day, and each new suc- cess inspires us to never give up on anyone. That’s why patients with neurological condi- tions thought inoperable by others come to us from around the world to find compas- sionate care and healing. Advanced training and improvements in microneurosurgery have also opened up whole new areas of the brain for treatment, making surgeries once considered impos- sible a regular occurrence. These advance- ments not only save lives, but they also give patients hope, longevity and a good quality of life unthinkable just a decade ago. n