Issues with the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ischemic Strokes
When a healthcare professional fails to diagnose and treat an ischemic stroke, catastrophic outcomes, including severe brain injury or even death, are possible. I’m dedicated to helping victims of medical negligence hold the responsible parties accountable.
Understanding how medical negligence can play a role in these tragic situations is part of protecting your rights. I can guide you through the recovery process as your New Orleans personal injury lawyer.
What Is an Ischemic Stroke?
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, cutting off the essential blood flow that delivers oxygen and nutrients. Without this blood flow, brain cells begin to die within minutes. Time is of the essence when it comes to treating an ischemic stroke. The quicker the blockage is removed or dissolved, the better.
There are two main types of ischemic stroke: thrombotic and embolic. A thrombotic stroke happens when a blood clot forms directly in the arteries supplying the brain, often due to fatty deposits that cause narrowing of these arteries. An embolic stroke occurs when a clot forms elsewhere in the body, such as the heart, and travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it lodges and causes a blockage.
The window of time to effectively treat an ischemic stroke is incredibly narrow. Treatments like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can dissolve clots and restore blood flow if administered within the first few hours of stroke onset. Additionally, mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure to physically remove the clot, can be effective if performed promptly.
Given the urgency, healthcare professionals must be vigilant in recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, confusion, vision problems, and severe headache.
Who Can Be Held Accountable?
After failing to diagnose or properly treat an ischemic stroke, a healthcare provider or facility could be held accountable for the resulting harm.
- Failure to recognize symptoms. If a provider fails to recognize the classic symptoms of a stroke or dismisses them as something less serious, this delay in diagnosis can lead to tragic consequences.
- Delay in ordering tests. Timely imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, are often needed to confirm a stroke and determine the appropriate treatment.
- Failure to administer treatment. Even if a stroke is diagnosed, failing to administer tPA or perform a thrombectomy within the critical time frame is a grave error.
- Miscommunication among providers. Breakdowns in communication between healthcare professionals can result in delayed treatment, further endangering the patient’s life.
By pursuing a medical malpractice claim, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you’re facing the consequences of a stroke that should have been treated sooner, don’t hesitate to reach out. As a New Orleans personal injury lawyer, I can help you seek justice and move forward.
Did a healthcare failure in New Orleans, Metairie, or Gretna upend your life? Talk to us. Call Palazzo Law Firm at 504-433-1442 for a confidential consultation.
