Basic HTML Version
occupational therapists will encourage and train
stroke survivors to use their impaired arms for
everyday tasks such as brushing teeth, buttoning
shirts or putting on shoes. Many activity and
exercise stations for general movement will be
available, and patient progress during class will
be documented.
If you or someone you know might benefit from
the Stroke Recovery Program, call
626-574-3630
for more information and registration materials.
www.methodisthospital.org
5
Life after a stroke
CONTINUED FROM COVER
launched a new Stroke Recovery Program to help
stroke patients regain movement and increase
independence with everyday tasks such as brushing
teeth, buttoning shirts or putting on shoes.
Strength in numbers
Dr. Wogensen and the program staff are currently
organizing stroke survivors’ groups, similar to those
for survivors of breast cancer and other illnesses.
“After a stroke, people can feel isolated and
depressed,” Dr. Wogensen says. “If their speech is
impaired, they can be reluctant to talk to others. A
group can help survivors feel encouraged, just to
know they are not alone.” Still, avoiding a stroke in
the first place is key, he notes. “Stopping smoking
and controlling blood pressure and other risk
factors, like diabetes, are the best way to reduce risk
of stroke. Prevention is always the best medicine.”
Endovascular coiling
New technique
saves stroke
patient’s life
Every Mardi Gras,
the Methodist Hospital
Foundation holds a
fundraiser to benefit
one of the hospital’s
services. This year, the
proceeds benefited
the stroke program.
In honor of his efforts
and achievements on
behalf of the hospital,
Kenneth Wogensen, MD
(pictured on page 4),
was named king of
Mardi Gras. The gala
event was held Feb. 21
at Santa Anita Park.
WHEN
Gary Willis,* 59, was admitted to the
Methodist Hospital emergency department
last fall, doctors immediately knew he was
in trouble. A scan using state-of-the-art CT
angiography showed massive bleeding inside
his head. An aneurysm—a weakened part of a
blood vessel feeding his brain—had burst.
Every second counts
With no time to lose, Gregory Withers, MD,
chief of staff and chair of neurosurgery, paged
interventional neuroradiologist Shuichi Suzuki,
MD, an expert from the University of California,
Irvine Medical Center. Dr. Suzuki had recently
given Dr. Withers and his staff a lecture about
treating brain aneurysms. While the Methodist
Hospital team stabilized the patient, Dr. Suzuki
rushed to the hospital to see what could be done.
Drs. Suzuki and Withers agreed the best
strategy would be to seal off the aneurysm
and hemorrhage using a minimally invasive
technique called endovascular coiling. Rather
than opening Willis’ skull, they decided to
make only a small incision in the femoral artery,
through which a thin flexible catheter was
inserted. Using fluoroscopy, the catheter was
made visible on a screen as it traveled toward
the rupture. Then the physicians inserted fine
platinum wires and detached them so they
would coil up like tiny cotton balls in order to
block the flow of blood. All in all, they inserted
10 coils. As blood began to clot around them,
the aneurysm was sealed off, which reduced
the risk of another rupture.
The journey has only just begun
Willis spent time in the critical care unit,
requiring close attention from the medical staff.
“Treating the aneurysm is only a first step,“
Dr. Suzuki explains. “It’s a long journey of
recovery, and other clinical conditions can arise,
such as vasospasm of the brain artery. However,
Methodist Hospital has a good team trained to
treat this kind of seriously ill patient.”
Willis’ health continues to improve, and
although he may need rehabilitation, one thing
is clear.
“Endovascular coiling saved this man’s life,”
Dr. Suzuki says. “It may not be appropriate
for everyone, but in this case it was the best
option, and I’m glad we could offer it to him.”
*Name has been changed to protect patient privacy.